Mountain native-cherry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mountain native-cherry |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Exocarpos
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| Species: |
humifusus
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| A spatial distribution of recorded individuals of E. humifusus | |
Exocarpos humifusus, also known as mountain native-cherry, is a small shrub. It belongs to the Santalaceae plant family. Plants in this family are special because they are hemiparasites. This means they get some of their food from other plants. The mountain native-cherry is a tiny, sprawling shrub with woody stems. It has small, dry fruits that grow on top of a bright red, fleshy stalk. This red stalk makes it look a bit like a cherry, which is how it got its common name.
What Does It Look Like?
The mountain native-cherry is a tough, woody dwarf shrub. Its branches spread out low over the ground and rocks. The stems are dark yellow-green with a touch of red. They have rounded edges and look ribbed.
Its leaves are very tiny, shaped like triangles or scales. They are about 0.5 mm long. The leaves grow one after another along the stem.
The flowers usually have four parts. They are about 2.5 mm wide. These small flowers grow in groups of two or three. They sit on a short stalk at the end of a stem.
The fruit is a small, greenish-black nut or "drupe." It is about 3 to 4 mm long. This fruit grows on top of a fleshy part called a receptacle. When the fruit is ripe, the receptacle turns dark red. It becomes juicy and can be eaten. This helps animals spread the seeds.
Where Does It Grow?
The mountain native-cherry is found only in Tasmania. This means it is endemic to Tasmania. It grows very well in high places, usually above 1,000 meters. You can also find it on lower mountains in the southwest of Tasmania.
It lives in sub-alpine and alpine areas. These are cold, high-altitude places. You can often see it growing over rocks on mountain plateaus and summits. It is common in plant communities called alpine heath and fjaeldmark.
Images for kids
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Stems and fruit of E. humifusus
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Enlarged receptacle with fruit
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Stems, leaves, and flowers
