Exocarpos menziesii, also known as heau, is an endangered rare Hawaiian native plant in the Santalaceae family.

[2] The genus Exocarpos contains shrubs and small trees whose roots are semi-parasitic in that they will attach themselves to other plants.

Characteristics include maroon-tipped stems with dense branching, leaves that resemble scales, and can sometimes be oblanceolate and elliptic.

The fruits are fleshy with one seed and are shades of reddish brown and red when mature.

They plan to combat predation, habitat degradation, herbivory, the spread of disease, and competition with invasive species.