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the Tasmanian species of this family are native hemiparasitic shrubs or small
trees in which the leaves are reduced to scales on more or less angular
photosynthetic branches. The flowers
are highly reduced and inconspicuous, but the fruits are fleshy and
those of some species are conspicuous.
Tasmania has two genera, Leptomeria and Exocarpos. Exocarpos
species (Native Cherries) have superior ovaries, whereas Leptomeria species
have inferior ovaries. A third genus, Thesium, did occur in
Tasmania, but is now extinct. It was a herb with erect, wiry stems.
For simplicity the key is to species of both Leptomeria
and Exocarpos.
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