Native Cherry Ballart - Exocarpos cupressiformis (Cypress cherry) seeds

Exocarpos cupressiformis (Native Cherry or Cherry Ballart)
Aboriginal Names:

• Tchimmi-dillen (Queensland)
• Palatt or Ballot (Lake Condah, Victoria)
• Ballee (Yarra)
• Coo-yie (Queensland)

Quick Facts

• Height: Up to 8 meters
• Flowering: October to May
• Flowers: Tiny yellow-green
• Soil: Well-drained, often with a host plant
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Climate: Native to eastern Australia, Tasmania, and southeastern South Australia

Why Grow Native Cherry?
Native Cherry is a unique addition to Australian gardens, valued for its edible "fruit" and cultural significance. As a member of the sandalwood family, it plays a vital role in native ecosystems and is a conversation starter with its unusual growth habit and use as a host-dependent plant.

Bush Food Note

• Fruit:
  • Technically a swollen stem, not a true fruit.
  • Known for its high sugar content, particularly in the forests of southern Victoria.
  • Consumed raw or cooked.

Bush Medicine

• Sap: Traditionally used to treat snakebites.

Disclaimer: Any medicinal use is based on traditional knowledge and should be consulted with a healthcare professional before use.

Other Uses

• Indigenous Use:
  • Wood for crafting spear throwers.
• European Use:
  • Wood utilized for furniture, tool handles, and gun stocks.
  • Trees often cut down for use as Christmas trees due to their conifer-like appearance.

How to Grow

• Germination Challenges:
  • Seeds require a symbiotic relationship with host plants like native grasses.
  • Seed treatment: Passing seeds through a bird's digestive system (e.g., chickens) can weaken the hard nut, improving germination rates.
• Planting Instructions:
  • Sow seeds near compatible host plants.
  • Ensure well-drained soil and a sunny to partially shaded position.
• Care:
  • Water regularly during establishment.
  • Minimal care is needed once the tree matures.

Uses in Your Garden

• Edible and Practical: A bushfood option with a sweet, high-sugar "fruit."
• Cultural Significance: Connects to Aboriginal heritage and European settler history.
• Ornamental: Dense foliage and conifer-like appearance add structure to gardens.

Order Now
Enhance your garden with Exocarpos cupressiformis, a tree that blends beauty, utility, and history. Perfect for nature enthusiasts and bushfood lovers alike!