Flora Great Southern WAAdenanthos obovatus (Basket Flower) Anigozanthos flavidus (Tall Kangaroo Paw) Anigozanthos rufus (Red Kangaroo Paw) Banksia nutans var. cernuella Banksia quercifolia (Oak-leaved Banksia) Billardiera fusiformis (Australian Bluebell) Exocarpos sparteus (Broom Ballart)

Exocarpos sparteus is an Australian endemic plant, a shrub to small tree, up to 4 metres tall. Common names include Broom Ballart, Native Cherry or Slender Cherry. It is found growing across Western Australia, with limited observations in the Northern Territory. It is also found in other parts of Australia including Tasmania.

This erect looking shrub/tree has drooping branchlets and stalkless leaves. As well as the graceful appearance, the species bears flowering branchlets, that are varied from greenish-yellow, occasionally white. The fruit is egg-shaped, between 4-5 mm and are pink to red and white.

Exocarpos sparteus (Broom Ballart), Great Southern Region WA © Terry Dunham
Exocarpos sparteus (Broom Ballart), Great Southern Region WA © Terry Dunham

Exocarpos sparteus (exo = on the outside, seed on the outside of, carpus = a fruit… and sparteus = Spanish broom, broom like habit). A beautiful weeping large shrub/ small tree, hemiparasitic on roots, yummy sweet tiny fruits.

Exocarpos sparteus (Broom Ballart), Great Southern Region WA © Terry Dunham
Exocarpos sparteus (Broom Ballart), Great Southern Region WA © Terry Dunham
Exocarpos sparteus (Broom Ballart), Great Southern Region WA © Terry Dunham
Exocarpos sparteus (Broom Ballart), Great Southern Region WA © Terry Dunham
Exocarpos sparteus (Broom Ballart), Great Southern Region WA © Terry Dunham
Exocarpos sparteus (Broom Ballart), Great Southern Region WA © Terry Dunham

More information in Western Australia Flora > WA Flora Index | Exocarpos sparteus


  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Phylum: Charophyta
  • Class: Equisetopsida
  • Subclass: Magnoliidae
  • Superorder: Santalanae
  • Order: Santalales
  • Family: Santalaceae
  • Genus: Exocarpos
  • Species: Exocarpos sparteus

Footnote & References

  1. Exocarpos sparteus, Great Southern Region WA. Photographs © Terry Dunham
  2. Exocarpos sparteus R.Br., Atlas of Living Australia, https://bie.ala.org.au/species/Exocarpos sparteu
  3. Exocarpos sparteus R.Br., Broom Ballart, Western Australian Herbarium (1998–). Florabase—the Western Australian Flora. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, https://florabase.dbca.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/10765

Flora Great Southern WAAdenanthos obovatus (Basket Flower) Anigozanthos flavidus (Tall Kangaroo Paw) Anigozanthos rufus (Red Kangaroo Paw) Banksia nutans var. cernuella Banksia quercifolia (Oak-leaved Banksia) Billardiera fusiformis (Australian Bluebell) Exocarpos sparteus (Broom Ballart)

Great Southern WAFlora

Western AustraliaWestern Australia Fauna Western Australia Flora The Batavia Coast and Midwest WA Bungle Bungles – Purnululu National Park Great Southern WA South West WA Stirling Range National Park