Native Cherry

Exocarpos cupressiformis, the native cherry, is a a plant native to Australia, found from Queensland to Tasmania and South Australia. Is has a small form and is a parasitic plant, and takes some of its nutrients from its host plants, which in this picture would be the surrounding trees and shrubs.

The small "cherries" it produces are edible and have a hard stone located at the bottom of the fruit. The fruit is attractive to birds, but it is a very difficult plant to propagate.

The specimen shown was found in the bush near Adelaide, South Australia.