Indigenous Plant Medicines and Foods
Introduction
Across the woodlands, coastal plains, and forest edges of Victoria grows the Native Cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis), a distinctive plant known for its small, bright red fruit. Unlike introduced cherries, the edible portion is not the seed but the swollen stalk beneath it—an unusual adaptation that reflects the diversity of Australian flora. For Indigenous communities across Victoria—including the Wadawurrung, Wurundjeri, and Gunditjmara—Native Cherry was an important seasonal food, as well as part of broader ecological knowledge systems. Its growth patterns, fruiting cycles, and relationship to surrounding plants were understood through systems of lore, connecting people to Country, season, and survival (Clarke 2009; Gott 2019).
This article explores the ecology, cultural significance, and uses of Native Cherry, highlighting its role within Indigenous knowledge systems in Victoria.
Botany and Ecology of Native Cherry
Exocarpos cupressiformis is a small, shrub-like tree found across south-eastern Australia. It is commonly located in:
Open woodlands and dry forests
Coastal plains and sandy soils
Volcanic landscapes across western Victoria
Key ecological characteristics include:
Hemiparasitic growth: Native Cherry attaches its roots to nearby plants, drawing nutrients while still photosynthesising
Distinct fruit structure: The edible red “fruit” is actually a swollen stalk (pedicel), while the seed sits externally
Seasonal fruiting: Typically ripens in late spring to summer
This parasitic relationship allows Native Cherry to survive in nutrient-poor soils, making it an important component of woodland ecosystems (RBGV 2023).
Wadawurrung Country: Seasonal Food and Landscape Knowledge
On Wadawurrung Country—including Djilang (Geelong), Ballarat, and the Bellarine Peninsula—Native Cherry was part of seasonal food systems connected to woodland and grassland environments.
Food Use
The red, fleshy stalk was eaten fresh:
Consumed during warmer months when fruit ripened
Gathered in small quantities across woodland areas
Valued as a supplementary seasonal food
While the seed itself is not eaten, the edible portion provided hydration and nutrients during travel and seasonal movement.
Seasonal Indicators and Lore
Native Cherry fruiting acted as a seasonal signal:
Indicated warmer conditions and changing food availability
Coincided with other plant and animal cycles across Country
Informed movement between camps and resource areas
Such knowledge was governed through lore, linking plant behaviour to broader ecological systems.
Wurundjeri Knowledge: Birrarung Woodlands
For Wurundjeri people, whose Country centres on the Birrarung (Yarra River), Native Cherry formed part of woodland ecosystems managed through fire and seasonal knowledge.
Fruits gathered along forest edges and riverine areas
Plant growth observed as part of seasonal cycles
Used within broader food systems alongside other native plants
The Birrarung landscape supported diverse plant species, and Native Cherry contributed to the biodiversity and seasonal rhythm of these environments (VEWH 2022).
Gunditjmara Country: Integration with Volcanic Landscapes
On Gunditjmara Country, Native Cherry grows within dry forests and volcanic plains surrounding the Budj Bim region.
Part of woodland systems supporting wildlife and food sources
Collected alongside other seasonal plants
Integrated into landscapes shaped by fire and water management
Although not a staple food, Native Cherry contributed to a diverse and resilient food system connected to Country (McNiven 2012).
Food and Nutritional Value
Native Cherry was primarily valued as a fresh seasonal food:
The fleshy stalk is edible and slightly sweet
Contains moisture, supporting hydration in warmer months
Provides minor nutritional benefits as part of a varied diet
Its importance lies not in quantity but in its role within a diverse, seasonal food system.
Ecological Relationships and Science
Modern ecology highlights the unique role of Native Cherry:
Hemiparasitic behaviour supports nutrient cycling in poor soils
Provides food for birds and insects, aiding seed dispersal
Contributes to woodland biodiversity
This aligns with Indigenous knowledge systems that recognise interdependence between plants, animals, and environment (Clarke 2009).
Cultural Role and Systems of Lore
Native Cherry exists within broader systems of lore that guide:
When and where to harvest
How to maintain ecological balance
Respect for plant life and sustainability
Plants were not exploited but carefully managed, ensuring continued availability across generations.
Colonisation and Environmental Change
Colonisation significantly altered Native Cherry habitats:
Clearing of woodlands reduced plant populations
Grazing animals damaged regeneration
Fire suppression disrupted ecological cycles
For communities across Wadawurrung, Wurundjeri, and Gunditjmara Country, these changes limited access to traditional food sources and disrupted knowledge transmission (Gammage 2011).
Revival and Cultural Restoration
Today, Native Cherry is part of broader restoration efforts:
Revegetation projects are reintroducing native woodland species
Traditional Owner-led land management is restoring ecological balance
Education programs are reconnecting communities with plant knowledge
These efforts highlight the importance of Indigenous knowledge in contemporary environmental management.
Conclusion
Native Cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis) is a small but significant plant within Victoria’s ecosystems and Indigenous cultural landscapes. As a seasonal food, ecological indicator, and component of woodland systems, it reflects the depth of Indigenous knowledge embedded in Country. For Wadawurrung, Wurundjeri, and Gunditjmara peoples, Native Cherry is part of a broader network of relationships—between plants, people, and place—guided through systems of lore. Protecting these plants and their habitats supports both biodiversity and the continuation of cultural knowledge into the future.
References
Clarke, PA 2009, Australian Aboriginal Ethnobotany, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.
DEECA 2021, Native Woodland Restoration in Victoria, State of Victoria.
Gammage, B 2011, The Biggest Estate on Earth, Allen & Unwin, Sydney.
Gott, B 2019, The Yam Daisy, Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra.
McNiven, IJ 2012, ‘Budj Bim Cultural Landscape’, Antiquity.
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria 2023, Traditional Plant Knowledge, Melbourne.
UNESCO 2019, Budj Bim Cultural Landscape, World Heritage Centre.
Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) 2022, Birrarung Cultural Framework, Melbourne.
Written, Researched and Directed by James Vegter and Uncle Reg Abrahams (22 September 2025)
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Magic Lands Alliance acknowledges the Traditional Owners, Custodians, and First Nations communities across Australia and internationally. We honour their enduring connection to the sky, land, waters, language, and culture. We pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging, and to all First Peoples’ communities and language groups. This article draws only on publicly available information; many cultural practices remain the intellectual property of their respective communities.