medicinal herbs
Native Cherry
Exocarpus cupressiformis
Herb: Native Cherry
Latin name: Exocarpus cupressiformis
Family: Santalaceae (Sandalwood Family)
Medicinal use of Native Cherry:
Astringent, bitter tonic.Description of the plant:
Plant:
EvergreenShrub
Height:
4 m(13 feet)
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.