Santalum is a genus of woody flowering plants in the Santalaceae family, the best known and most commercially valuable of which is the Indian sandalwood tree, S. album. Members of the genus are trees or shrubs. Most are root parasites which photosynthesize their own food, but tap the roots of other species for water and inorganic nutrients. Several species, most notably S. album, produce highly aromatic wood, used for scents and perfumes and for herbal medicine. It has about 25 known species which are native to Island Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines), Melanesia (Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji, and New Caledonia), Australia, Polynesia, the Bonin Islands of Japan, and the Juan Fernández Islands of Chile..

To produce commercially valuable sandalwood with high levels of fragrance oils, the trees have to be at least 40 years of age, but 80 or above is preferred. As such, those who begin cultivation of Santalum likely will not live to reap the rewards of their work. However, inferior sandalwood that has been cut or toppled at 30 years old can still fetch a decent price due to the demand for real sandalwood.

Beyond these initial difficulties, growing sandalwood is not difficult, since it becomes more resistant to environmental stresses, pests, and diseases as it matures.

Sandalwood is often cited as one of the most expensive woods in the world, along with African blackwood, pink ivory, agarwood and ebony. Due to its high cost, it is often replaced in perfumery by Isobornyl cyclohexanol.

Species

19 species are currently accepted:

  • S. boninense <small>(Nakai) Tuyama</small> (Bonin Islands, Japan)
  • S.&nbsp;ellipticum <small>Gaudich.</small> — iliahialoe, coast sandalwood (Hawaii)
  • S.&nbsp;fernandezianum <small>Phil.</small> (Juan Fernández Islands)
  • S.&nbsp;freycinetianum <small>Gaudich.</small> — iliahi (Hawaii)
  • S.&nbsp;haleakalae <small>Hillebr.</small> — iliahi (Hawaii)
  • S.&nbsp;insulare (south-central Pacific)
  • S.&nbsp;involutum (Hawaiian Islands (Kauai))
  • S.&nbsp;lanceolatum <small>R.Br.</small> — northern sandalwood (Australia)
  • S.&nbsp;macgregorii <small>F.Muell</small> (Papua New Guinea, Indonesia)
  • S.&nbsp;murrayanum <small>(T.L.Mitch.) C.A.Gardner</small> — bitter quandong (Australia)
  • S.&nbsp;obtusifolium (Australia)
  • S.&nbsp;paniculatum <small>Hook. & Arn.</small> — iliahi (Hawaii)
  • S.&nbsp;papuanum (New Guinea)
  • S.&nbsp;pyrularium (Hawaiian Islands (Kauai))
  • S.&nbsp;spicatum <small>(R.Br.) A.DC.</small> — Australian sandalwood (Australia)
  • S.&nbsp;yasi <small>Seem.</small> - yasi (Fiji, Niue) Tonga- Ahi

Formerly placed here

  • Mida salicifolia — willowleaf sandalwood (as S.&nbsp;salicifolium )

Etymology

Santalum derives its name from the Greek santalon, in turn from the Arabic sandal, in turn from Sanskrit chandana (Indian sandalwood).

References

  • Australian Quandong Industry Association
  • Australian Plants online: Santalum
  • Hawaiian Native Plants: Santalum