Exocarpos

Exocarpos (from Ancient Greek ἔξω (éxō), meaning "outside", and καρπός (karpós), meaning "fruit", and thus, "outside fruit"^[2]), also known as ballart, is a genus of flowering shrubs and small trees in the sandalwood family, Santalaceae. They range from Vietnam through Malesia, New Guinea, and Australia to New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.^[1]

They are semi-parasitic, requiring the roots of a host tree, a trait they share with many other members of the Santalaceae.^{[citation needed]}

In Australia, some species are also known as ballarts or cherries.^[3]

The genus Exocarpos was first described by Jacques Labillardière on 7 May 1792:

I discovered an evergreen tree, which has its nut situated, like that of the acajou, upon a fleshy receptacle much larger than itself. I therefore named this new genus exocarpos. . . . The principal characters of this plant have led me to rank it among the terebinthinaceous tribe, next to the anacardium. I have given it the name of exocarpos cupressiformis.^[4]

Convention dictates that the taxon is often expressed as Exocarpos Labill. 1798.^{[citation needed]}

Within Australia, an identification key is available for New South Wales species,^[3] and for Victorian species.^[5]