Greetings from Whadjuk country and the beginning of Djilba, where the natural world is starting to spring into action after an extremely cold winter.

I travelled here via a road trip through Marble Bar, Wiluna and Sandstone. The desert country I traversed through was looking a treat due to a late tropical front dumping some welcome rain on the parched ground. Annuals were beginning to put on a glorious display of shape and colour and were a welcome distraction from the long and winding road.

One plant that I was particularly pleased to see doing well was Quandong, Santalum acuminatum. The green fruit were starting to peep through the drooping grey foliage and will be ready to pick as they turn bright red in the coming months.

The tart skin of the fruit (high in vitamin C) has been a staple bush tucker for thousands of years, favoured not only by people but also by the emu who helps distribute the hard nut through their droppings. The fruit can also be used to make a delicious jam whilst the kernel inside the hard pitted nut has a taste not dissimilar to that of the walnut and is rich in oils and protein.

Quandong (an adaption of the Wiradjuri word guwandhang), is universally used throughout the southern half of Australia where Santalum acuminatum is found. It is also known as dumbari/wongil (Noongar), wayanu (Pitjanjatjara/Yankunytjatjara), kurti (Nukuna), warlgu (Wajarri), gurdalu (Badimaya), wagudu (Nhanda), murrgan (Yidiny), mingun (Muthi Muthi), walku (Martu), tumpari (Ngadju), walku (Ngalia) and gurti (Kaurna).

Quandong (from southern and central Australia, not to be confused with Blue Quandong Elaeocarpus angustifolius from tropical northern Australia) is a member of the Santalaceae family which also includes Santalum spicatum, the commercially harvested sandalwood, prized for the scent its oil contributes to incense sticks. In Western Australia, you can often find the two species growing in the same area with Quandong being distinguishable by its bright red fruit and its more robust size and growth. Sandalwood nuts also have an edible kernel whilst Santalum lanceolatum, another member of the family found in the northern dry tropics, has an edible fruit.

Quandongs tend to favour country that has sandy, loamy soils, although it is occasionally found in other habitats. It can be difficult to grow as it is hemi parasitic, that is, it needs a host plant to help it get established. However, with the right pairing you'll be off to a running start. Favoured hosts include wattle species, grasses and spinifex.

There are all types of theories on how best to germinate the seed, including cracking the nut before burying it next to an established host. Commercial nurseries have also trialled removing the kernel from the nut, washing it in a weak bleach solution and placing in a tube with wattle seed. I've had success collecting fresh digested fruit from emu droppings, placing them in a pile beside a host and occasionally watering, whilst providing protection from rabbits and kangaroos. As with propagation of all plants, getting the timing right and mimicking what happens in nature are the keys.

Now is the time to give it go, remember patience is a virtue and you may never know your luck if you don't try it. Break a leg!