Trees or shrubs or herbs, often parasitic on the roots of other plants. Leaves alternate or opposite, simple and entire, sometimes reduced to minute scales or altogether wanting; stipules absent. Flowers regular, hermaphrodite or unisexual, usually small and greenish, solitary or in axillary or terminal cymes or spikes. Perianth superior or inferior, 3–6-lobed or -partite; lobes valvate,., often hairy behind the anthers. Stamens 3–6, inserted on the perianth-lobes and opposite to them; anthers 2-celled. Ovary inferior, rarely superior, 1-celled; style short; stigma capitate or 3–4-lobed; ovules 2–3, pendulous from a central column. Fruit an indehiscent nut or drupe. Seed solitary, globose or ovoid; albumen copious, fleshy; embryo usually small, terete, radicle superior.

An order of moderate size, widely dispersed in both temperate and tropical regions. Genera 28; species not much exceeding 200. The only species of much economic value is Santalum album, which yields the well-known sandalwood. Both the New Zealand genera are found in Australia, and Exocarpus, extends also to the Pacific islands, Malay Archipelago, and Madagascar.

Leafy. Perianth superior. Flowers in axillary cymes	1. Fusanus.
Leafless. Perianth inferior. Flowers in axillary spikes	2. Exocarpus.