Citation: R. Br., Prod. Fl. Nov. Holl. 356 (1810).

Synonymy: Xylophyllos sparteus (R. Br.)Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Pl. 589 (1891); E. glandulaceus Miq. in Lehm., Pl. Preiss. 1:619 (1845). , Exocarpos spartea, Exocarpus spartea, Exocarpus sparteus

Common name: Broom ballart, cherry bush, slender cherry.

Description:
Broom-like shrub 2-6 m high, with angular slightly furrowed slender olive or grey-green branches and pendulous or erect branchlets, glabrous except in leaf axils; leaves soon caducous, reduced to linear-lanceolate 1.5-7 mm long scales with erect or spreading tips.

Flowers sessile, in pedunculate spikes (4-18 mm long, including the stiff peduncle of 0.7-6 mm), sometimes 2 or 3 spikes in an axil, usually only 1 in each spike fertile; rhachis pubescent; perianth 4-6-sect, yellow or golden-brown, 0.7-1 mm long, somewhat papillose on the margins.

Fruit ovoid to globular, glabrous, 3.5-5 mm long, shiny, orange to red-brown or almost black; fruiting pedicel very succulent, cylindrical to ovoid, 3-5 mm diam., slightly broader than the fruit when fresh, usually broader than long, green becoming red.

Published illustration: Costermans (1981) Native trees and shrubs of south-eastern Australia, p. 169.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: NW, LE, FR, EP, NL, MU, YP, SL, SE.   W.Aust.; N.T.; Qld; N.S.W.; Vic. Conservation status: native Flowering time: throughout the year, but mainly spring and autumn.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Author: Not yet available