Native Plum (Santalum lanceolatum) flowering in October.
Native Plum flowering
Quandong flowers
Quandong (Santalum acuminatum) in flower in December in the Northern Flinders Ranges. Quandongs produce edible fruit between August and October.
Native Plum fruiting
Santalum lanceolatum is known variously as Native Plum, Bush Plum, Plumbush. As with the related Quandong, it is semi-parasitic in that it will connect its roots to other trees. Seen commonly in the Flinders Ranges in clay and sandy plains and watercourses.
The dark fruit is a bland but palatable bush food, similar looking to the inedible fruit of Eremophila longifolia. Species feeding on the berries include the Singing Honeyeater.
Desert Quandong
Santalum acuminatum, also known as the Desert Quandong or Wild Peach, is a nutritious bush tucker. Fruit ripens with warm northerly winds between August and October. Quandong fruit is very high in vitamin C and can be harvested when fresh or dried. Nuts contain rich edible kernels with antibacterial properties.
