Leptomeria drupacea Erect Currantbush is an edible species from the Sandalwood family Santalaceae, with a common and widespread distribution in Tasmania’s northern and eastern forests and heathlands. Photographed below are young and old plants in Carlton River Tasmania, the young plants are growing well after the area was decimated by fire 5 years before. L.drupacea is a hemi-parasitic plant that I often see thriving in the disturbed soils after bushfire and also in Tasmania’s native-timber plantation forests. The small drupe-fruits are edible with a delicious lemon-sherbet flavored punch. The larger soft fruits are juiciest, and we eat them fresh or press the juice and use as an alternative to lemon juice. The amazing flavor makes great lemon-sherbet, tangy icy poles, salad dressing, seafood sauce, citrus tarts, cakes and more.
