Quandongs - a pie in the sky?

By Ben Lethridge*

Quandong (Santalum acuminatum) is probably a familiar tree to most TFL’ers and I am sure the question has often been asked “Why isn’t this species included in the revegetation list?” to which the reply is “They are hard to germinate and even harder to grow”.

While this response is partly true, recent research on this and related species has opened up the possibility including this species in revegetation programs for those willing to put in some additional time and effort.

This will be the first step in reviving the wide distribution of this once very common tree. Enjoying quandong pies will hopefully no longer be restricted to those with the guarded secret knowledge of the location of that elusive fruiting quandong tree!

Opportunities for using quandongs in mixed plantings in South Australia

Currently there is little available information on the use of quandongs in broadscale revegetation programs. It is quite likely that the techniques applied to sandalwood in the South West of WA could be applied without much modification to suit quandongs and local mixed species plantings as adopted by TFL. To be more specific, collections of local provenance seed could be made. The seed is then primed to germinate by soaking overnight in rainwater and the next day the seed is dried in the hot sun (over summer).

This causes the shell to crack, but not lead to immediate germination. Following the opening rains in autumn the primed seed is placed in close proximity of the drip zone of established suitable species (equal to or greater than a year old). This will improve the chances of attachment to the host’s fresh root growth.

The seed is then covered with a light layer of mulch and left to its own devices. Suitable species for establishment of quandongs would include acacia, allocasuarina, hakea and myoporum etc. with good surface rooting and water retaining adaptive features (ie needle-like blue-grey leaves).

Although quandongs can attach to eucalypts and make good long term hosts, the generally higher water use rates of these species can make them problematic in establishing quandongs. Effective weed management will also be critical to success.
The challenge is out there, who is willing to take it up?

Studies of quandongs and acacia growth under limiting water supplies at Port Augusta can be accessed /on-line

Information on the potential of quandong as a horticultural crop can be found at Bush Food Fact Sheet

* Ben is a volunteer with TFL and has a PhD in plant sciences. He has a strong interest in promoting quondong plantings