View source for Santalum acuminatum

{{SPlantbox
|familia=Santalaceae
|genus=Santalum
|species=acuminatum
|taxo_author=A.DC.
|common_name=Quandong, Sweet quandong
|name_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|habit=tree
|habit_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|Max ht box=20
|Max ht metric=ft
|height_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|Max wd box=12
|Max wd metric=ft
|width_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|lifespan=perennial
|life_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|exposure=sun
|sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|features=flowers, edible, fruit
|flower_season=early spring, mid spring, late spring, early summer, mid summer, late summer, early fall, mid fall, late fall, early winter, mid winter, late winter
|flower_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|flowers=white
|Temp Metric=°F
|min_zone=9
|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|max_zone=11
|image=Santalum acuminatum fruit1.JPG
|image_width=240
}}
'''''Santalum acuminatum''''', the  '''desert quandong''', is a hemiparasitic plant in the [[Sandalwood]] family ''[[Santalaceae]]'', widely dispersed throughout the central deserts and southern areas of [[Australia]].
The species, especially its fruit, is also referred to as '''quandong'''.

''Santalum acuminatum'' grows as a tall shrub, or small tree, rarely exceeding 7&nbsp;metres in height.   Roots are adapted to a hemi-[[parasitic]] mechanism, utilising a [[haustorium]], on roots able to reach out 10&nbsp;metres to other root systems.

The slender to ovate [[leaves]] are pointed at the tip,  are pale or yellow-green, and leathery.  These are supported on a short leaf stem, 5 – 10&nbsp;mm long, the leaves themselves being 45 – 115&nbsp;mm long. They are tapered in outline, and arranged in opposite pairs on the branchlets.<ref name="Powell">{{Cite book|title=Leaf and Branch|author=Robert Powell|publisher= Department of Conservation and Land Management |year=1990}}</ref>

[[Flowers]] can be green or white on the outer parts, reddish or brown on the inner faces, these appear on stems, are just 2 – 3&nbsp;mm across, and are fragrant.<ref name="Flora.Perth">{{cite book | first = Neville | last = Marchant | authorlink = Neville Marchant | coauthors =et al. | year = 1987 |edition =1st| title = Flora of the Perth Region | location = Perth | publisher = [[Western Australian Herbarium]] | pages = 198, 206. }}</ref> [[Fruit]] is produced after four years and is red or sometimes yellow, measuring 20 and 25&nbsp;mm across. A 3&nbsp;mm layer of flesh covers a brain-like nut with a hard shell that encases the seed. This fruit is referred to as a [[drupe]], it ripens from green to a shiny red in late spring or summer, and is globe shaped and  20 – 40&nbsp;mm across.<ref name="FloraBase">{{FloraBase|name=Santalum acuminatum (R.Br.) A.DC. |id= 2356 }}</ref><ref name="Teague">{{Cite web|title = Santalum acuminatum | url=http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2002/santalum-acuminatum.html |author=Justin Teague (Student Intern)|work= Growing Native Plants|publisher=ANBG|year= 2003}}</ref> The skin of the fruit is waxy.<ref name="Erickson 1973">{{cite book | first = Rica | last = Erickson | authorlink = Rica Erickson | coauthors = George, A. S.; [[Neville Marchant|Marchant, N. G.]]; Morcombe, M. K. | year = 1973 |edition =2nd| title = Flowers and plants of Western Australia | location = Sydney | publisher = A.H. & A.W. Reed | pages = 198, 206. }}</ref>