Exocarpos humifusus

Exocarpos humifusus is a rigid, woody dwarf shrub with branches prostrate and spreading over the ground and rocks.[2] The stems are dark yellow-green tinged with red, and are ribbed with rounded edges.[2] The leaves are triangular and scale shaped, about 0.5 mm (0.020 in) long, arranged alternately along the stem.[2][3] The flowers are generally 4 parted, approximately 2.5 mm (0.098 in) in diameter and grow in bunches of 2-3 on a short stalk at the end of a stem.[2] The fruit is a small greenish-black drupe or nut 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) in length, that grows atop a fleshy receptacle.[2][4] When mature the receptacle of the fruit is dark red fleshy, juicy and edible, attracting animals as distributors.[4]

Exocarpos humifusus is endemic to Tasmania. It grows abundantly above 1,000 m (3,300 ft) and on lower elevation mountains in the south-west, in sub-alpine and alpine areas. It is found growing over the surfaces of rocks on mountain plateaus and summits throughout Tasmania.[1] It is widespread among the plant communities of alpine heath and fjaeldmark.[5]

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  Stems and fruit of E. humifusus
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  Enlarged receptacle with fruit
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  Stems, leaves, and flowers