Family: Santalaceae
Santalum lanceolatum
Citation:
R. Br., Prod. Fl. Nov. Holl. 356 (1810).
Synonymy: S. angustifolium A. DC., Prod. 14, 2:685 (1857); Fusanus acuminatus R. Br. var. angustifolius (A. DC.)Benth., Fl. Aust. 6:216 (1873); S. lanceolatum R. Br. var. angustifolium (A. DC.)Bailey, Comp. Cat. Qld Pl. 469 (1913), while this is the earliest publication I have found of this combination, credit may be due to an earlier author.
, Santalum leptocladum Common name: Plumbush, native plumbush, cherry bush, (northern) sandalwood.
Description:
Shrub or small tree usually under 4m high; branches pendulous; leaves opposite, glaucous-green, narrowly elliptic to ovate-elliptic, when young acute or acuminate, very rarely obtuse, often with a curved point, the older leaves usually thick and stiff, usually 3-8 X 0.5-2.5 cm.
Flowers in short terminal or axillary trichotomous panicles, 5-8 mm long; perianth cream; disk bearing 4 glandlike oblong or spathulate lobes alternating with and rather shorter than the stamens; ovary not fully inferior; style 3-4 mm long, with a short 2-4-lobed stigma.
Drupe ovoid, dark-blue or purple, 1-1.5 cm long, endocarp smooth, perianth deciduous leaving a circular scar at some distance from the apex.
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Image source: fig. 85b in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).
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Published illustration:
Costermans (1981) Native trees and shrubs of south-eastern Australia, p. 171.
Distribution:
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S.Aust.: NW, LE, GT, FR, EA, EP, NL, MU. All mainland States.
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Conservation status:
native
Flowering time: throughout the year but mainly Aug. — Dec.
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SA Distribution Map based
on current data relating to
specimens held in the
State Herbarium of South Australia
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Biology:
The fruit is edible.
Author:
Not yet available
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