Forage Plants of Australia. 91 



ORDER SANTALACE.E. 



FUSANUS ACUMINATUS, E. BR. 

 " Quandong," " Native Peach." 

 Flora Austr., Vol. VI, p. 215. 



A SMALL tree, growing to a height of 20 OP 30 feet, with opposite lanceolate 

 leaves mostly 2 or 3 inches long, with the lateral veins often prominent when 

 old. The flowers are small and rather numerous, in a terminal pyramidal 

 panicle scarcely longer than the leaves, but in some of the western specimens 

 much reduced. At figure 1 is illustrated the hard, bony, much-pitted endo- 

 carp, or the inner surface of the fruit. At figure 2 is illustrated the fruit, 

 which is globular, i to f of an inch in diameter, with a succulent epicarpor 

 outer layer ; the perianth lobes persisting on the top till the fruit is nearly 

 or quite ripe as shown in the engraving. This tree is found in the arid 

 interior of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and "Western 

 Australia, and in some situations it is fairly plentiful. Its drought- 

 enduring qualities are remarkable. It seems to be affected neither by 

 the hot winds of summer nor the longest spells of dry weather, and it 

 has often proved of great service to the pastoralist when other feed was 

 somewhat scarce. Both cattle and sheep are fond of browsing upon its 

 foliage, and they will often eat down the young plants when other feed is 

 plentiful. Besides its value as a forage plant during drought time, the suc- 

 culent outer part of the fruit is edible, and it makes an excellent preserve 

 and jelly somewhat of the same flavour as guava. It can also be made into 

 tarts and pies. By simply extracting the stones and drying the outer 

 covering, it may be used at convenience as are other dried fruits. I had some 

 in my possession for a very long time, and then they were quite good. The 

 kernels too are edible, and have a very pleasant flavour. They contain a 

 great amount of oil, which on being burnt gives a good light. If the seeds 

 were collected in quantities and the oil expressed from them, it might prove 

 of some value for domestic purposes. I commend them for trial. The hard 

 bony-pitted stones are often strung and used for necklaces, bracelets, and 

 other ornaments. These quandongs must not be confounded with the 

 Queensland kind, for the latter are produced on a different kind of tree 

 altogether ; its botanical name being Elceocarpus grandis. 



The timber of Fmanus acuminatus is not of very great dimensions, generally 

 from 6 to 8 inches in diameter. It is yellowish, hard, and close-grained, not 

 liable to split or warp. It works very well, and on being freshly cut emits 

 a pleasant fragrance. It has been recommended for wood-engraving, and is 

 suitable for turnery and carving work ; it takes a fine polish. This tree 

 should be extensively cultivated on our arid central plains. Besides its 

 economic value, it is a fine ornament in the landscape, especially when in 

 flower and fruit. When left unmolested for a time it produces a fair amount 

 of fruit. This plant is very impatient of being transplanted, so that the seeds 

 should be sown where the trees are intended, to be grown. Before sowing, 

 the hard stone should be cracked, or germination will be considerably retarded. 

 In fact, I have known seeds to lay in the ground for over two years without 

 germinating where the stones have not been broken. The plants I have had 

 under cultivation made about 1 foot of growth a year. The seeds should be 

 sown when there is moisture in the soil, during the early autumn months, or 

 failing this, in September or October. 



