 Australian Native Foods
Plant Profiles
Quandong
 Common Names & Species:
Quandong, Native peach (Santalum acuminatum).
Family:
Santalaceae
Aboriginal Name
Goorti (Narungga)
Native To:
Widespread distribution in arid and semi-arid areas of southern Australia.
Natural rainfall: 150mm – 600mm.
>> Virtual Herbarium
Habit:
Shrub to small tree up to 5 metres with narrow grey-green leaves. It is a partial root parasite that can attach to the roots of a wide range of species.
>> PIRSA fact sheet
 Part Used:
Fruit 3mm outer fleshy layer of the fruit, 20 to 25 mm in diameter
Appearance: red or occasionally yellow
The kernel is approx 10 mm in diameter. The kernel can be eaten raw or processed. According to information from CSIRO, the flesh of quandong has a high vitamin C content.
Flavour:
Tart, with peach, apricot and rhubarb characteristics.
 Food Use:
For fruit-type flavour in sweet and savoury products.
Current Retail Product Categories:
Liqueur, jams and conserves, dipping sauces, confectionary, dairy products, baked goods, liqueur.
Food Quality & Safety Issues:
The industry has established provisional grade standards. Quandong moth damage is a significant postharvest quality issue, particularly with wild harvested fruit where pest control measures are not used.
Crop collection, production and handling systems will eventually require the implementation of HACCP-based food safety systems. Wild harvested sources may have difficulty in some areas of these systems, such as product traceability requirements.
Wild Harvest/Cultivated Supplies:
Wild harvest accounts for around 75% of supplies, with cultivated supplies increasing slowly.
Wild Harvest Locations:
Arid and semi-arid areas of South Australia.
Cultivation Locations:
South Australia: Tumby Bay, West Coast, Whyalla, Port Augusta, Quorn and Riverland.
NSW: Broken Hill area.
Victoria: Western districts.
Approx Wholesale ('Farm Gate') Prices:
Dried halves 1st grade $75/kg.
Dried halves 2nd grade $45/kg.
Fresh frozen halves $38/kg.
Current Volumes Traded:
Around 25 tonnes per annum (2001).
 Previous Research:
To help researchers and others with an understanding of previous research work in Quandongs, a selected bibliography has been prepared and can be downloaded from this site.
The bibliography is in the form of tab-delimited text file and can be read by word processors, or imported in to spreadsheet or database programs for greater functionality.
Quandong bibliography (Text, 7 Kb).
RIRDC research papers:
Genetic and agronomic improvement of quandong . B.Lethbridge and B. Randell Oct 2003 (PDF, 159 Kb).
Soil Biological constraints and benefits to quandong and other native food production. Rosemary Warren and Maarten Ryder Dec 2003 (PDF, 95 Kb).
Industry Development Plan:
A Quandong Industry Development Plan has been produced by the Northern Regional Development Board (South Australia) and can be downloaded from their site:
Quandong Industry Development Plan March 2002 (PDF, 483 Kb).
Other Links:
sres.anu.edu.au/associated/fpt/nwfp/quandong/Quandong.html
farrer.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/APOL7/sep97-1.html
Australian Quandong Industry Association Inc. (site not yet available)
 This Australian Native Foods Web site is jointly supported by RIRDC and CSIRO.
DISCLAIMER:
External links are provided for reference only. CSIRO does not endorse or in any way recommend the organisations listed and expressly excludes liability for and damage, loss or injury that a person may suffer as a result of any dealing with an organisation listed.
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