quandong

n.

(various spellings) aboriginal name for:

1) a tree, Santalum acuminatum, De C., S. persicarium, F. v. M., N.O. Santalaceae.In the Southern Colonies it is often called the SouthernQuandong, and the tree is called the NativePeach-Tree (q.v.). The name is given to another largescrub-tree, Elaeocarpus grandis, F. v. M., N.O. Tiliaceae. The fruit, which is of a blue colourand is eaten by children, is also called the NativePeach.

1839. T. L. Mitchell, `Three Expeditions,' p. 135:

«In all these scrubs on the Murray the Fusanusacuminatus is common, and produces the quandangnut (or kernel).»

1857. W. Howitt, `Tallangetta,' vol. i. p. 41:

«Abundance of fig, and medlar and quince trees, cherries,loquots, quondongs, gooseberry, strawberry, and raspberrytrees.»

1867. G. G. McCrae, `Balladeadro,' p. 10:

«Speed thee, Ganook, with these swift spears – – This firebrand weeping fiery tears,

And take this quandang's double plum,

'Twill speak alliance tho' 'tis dumb.»

1887. R. M. Praed, `Longleat of Kooralbyn,' c. xx. p. 199:

«They came upon a quantong-tree, and pausing beneath it, beganto pick up the fallen fruit. . . . There were so manyberries, each containing a shapely nut, that Honoria mightstring a dozen necklaces.»

1890. Lyth, `Golden South,' c. ix. p. 79:

«I have forgotten to mention the quandong, a shrub bearinga fruit the size and colour of cherries.»

2) The fruit of this tree, and also its kernel.

1885. J. Hood, `Land of the Fern,' p. 53:

«She had gone to string on a necklet of seeds from thequongdong tree.'

1887. R. M. Praed, `Longleat of Kooralbyn,' c. xix.p. 196:

«Miss Longleat was wild after quandongs.»

[Footnote]: «A berry growing in the scrub, the kernels of whichare strung into necklaces.»

1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs,' p. 9:

«Another fruit of fraudulent type growing on the plainsis the quandong. Something in shape and colour like asmall crab-apple, it is fair enough to the eye, but intaste thoroughly insipid.»