medicinal herbs
Native Cherry
Exocarpus cupressiformis

• Medicinal herbs
• Natural herbs
• Latin names
• Common names

Herb: Native Cherry

Latin name: Exocarpus cupressiformis

Family: Santalaceae (Sandalwood Family)

Medicinal use of Native Cherry:

Astringent, bitter tonic.

Description of the plant:

Habitat of the herb:

Sandy soils on dry hillsides. In eucalyptus forests to the montane zone.

Edible parts of Native Cherry:

Fruit stalk - sweet and palatable when fully ripe, astringent otherwise. It is eaten raw or made into preserves. Rather small, it is about 4 - 6mm long.

Other uses of the herb:

The bark contains up to 15% tannin. Wood - hard, tough, close-grained. Used for turnery, furniture etc.

Propagation of Native Cherry:

Seed - we have no information on this species but would recommend sowing it in spring in a warm greenhouse in a pot that contains a suitable host.

Cultivation of the herb:

Sandy soils on dry hillsides. In eucalyptus forests to the montane zone.

Known hazards of Exocarpus cupressiformis:

One report says that the foliage might be poisonous.

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.