Santalum acuminatum, commonly known as the Desert Quandong, is a hemiparasitic evergreen tree native to the arid deserts and semi-arid areas of central and southern Australia. It typically grows to a height of 13 to 20 feet (4 to 6 meters) and spreads 6.6 to 13.1 feet (2 to 4 meters) wide. The Desert Quandong has a distinctive appearance with rough, textured bark and leathery green leaves. During the flowering season, it produces small, inconspicuous flowers followed by striking red or sometimes yellow fruit, which are highly valued for their high vitamin C content and are a staple in traditional Australian bush food.

The Desert Quandong is a valuable plant for cultivation due to its drought tolerance and unique fruit, which is commercially harvested for use in jams, drinks, and other culinary applications. It is also of cultural significance to Indigenous Australians, who use it for both food and traditional medicine. In gardens, it can serve as an interesting ornamental or as part of a native plant collection. The tree prefers full sun and can adapt to a range of soil types, provided they are well-drained. While it is drought-tolerant, occasional watering during extremely dry periods can benefit the plant. One potential problem is its parasitic nature; it requires a host plant for nutrient uptake, which can be a consideration when planting.CC BY-SA 4.0