Exocarpos cupressiformis (Cherry Ballart)

1 / 3

Exocarpos spp.

native cherry

Santalaceae

Australia, South-East Asia, Pacific, New Zealand

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Exocarpos spp. is a genus of about 26 species of evergreen shrubs and small trees in the sandalwood family, Santalaceae, found in Australia, South-East Asia, the Pacific, and New Zealand. Like others in the family, they are hemiparasites, drawing water and nutrients through connections to the roots of neighbouring plants while also making their own food. E. cupressiformis, the cherry ballart, grows as a weeping shrub or small tree 3-30 feet (1-9 m) tall with drooping, cypress-like green branchlets. The true leaves are reduced to tiny scales, so photosynthesis is carried out by the slender green stems. Flowers are minute and greenish, clustered in short spikes, and easy to overlook. The fruit is a small hard nut that sits on top of a swollen, fleshy stalk; this stalk ripens red or orange and is edible, while the nut itself is not eaten. Plants grow in open forest, woodland, and heath on well-drained soils, often in dry or rocky sites. Because of the root parasitism, the genus is difficult to transplant or grow without suitable host plants nearby. Most species tolerate dry conditions but decline in waterlogged soils.

Native Range

Exocarpos spp. is native to Australia, where it is most diverse, and extends through South-East Asia, the Pacific islands, and New Zealand, growing in open forest, woodland, and heath.

Suggested Uses

Grown in native, bush-food, and habitat gardens where suitable host plants are present, and grown for the weeping cypress-like form of E. cupressiformis. The fleshy red fruit stalks are eaten fresh and draw birds. The genus suits naturalistic plantings rather than formal or container use.

How to Identify

Recognised by drooping, cypress-like green branchlets that carry out photosynthesis in place of the leaves, which are reduced to tiny scales. The minute greenish flowers are clustered in short spikes. The fruit stands out as a hard nut perched on a swollen red or orange fleshy stalk.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 30'

Width/Spread3' - 15'

Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years

Colors

Flower Colors

green

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Fall Winter Spring

Flowering occurs over a long period, mainly from autumn to spring depending on species and region, with minute greenish flowers in short spikes. The flowers are inconspicuous. The swollen fruiting stalks ripen red or orange and are taken by birds.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green (photosynthetic branchlets; leaves reduced to scales)

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-9 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-10 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in full sun to part shade in light, free-draining soil, preferably near established shrubs or trees that can serve as root hosts. The genus is hemiparasitic and establishes poorly in isolation, which makes it hard to cultivate from transplants. Soil pH from about 5.5 to 7.5 is tolerated. Water sparingly once established, as most species are adapted to dry sites and decline in wet, poorly drained ground. Light frost is tolerated by hardier species such as E. cupressiformis, with tender species limited to zones 9 to 11. Propagation is usually from seed sown near a host plant.

Pruning

Little pruning is needed beyond removing dead or damaged branchlets. The weeping form of E. cupressiformis is left largely unpruned to keep its natural shape. Cut stems do not always reshoot readily, so heavy pruning is held back.

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Unknown