Family: Santalaceae
Common Name: Sandalwood

Native to Australia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, these evergreen trees and shrubs are generally grown either for their fruit or the per-fumed 'sandalwood' from which precious and sacred ornaments have been made for centuries by the Chinese and Indians. The timber also yields an essential oil which has medicinal uses. With their red fruits and pendulous foliage, they can also make attractive garden ornamentals and tub specimens. However, being partial parasites on the roots of other plants, cultivation can be difficult. It is unlikely that this genus is available outside its countries of origin.

Species

S. acuminatum, quandong, is a small tree, native to Australia, to 5 m (16 ft) high, with a dense crown of pale green leaves. The small white flowers are followed by edible fruits, to 3 cm (1 in) in diameter, which change from green to bright red when ripe. The nut kernels and the fruits of this species were eaten by Aborigines, who buried the fruit to improve the flavor.

S. album, white sandalwood, is native to Timor and other Indonesian islands and is now cultivated in India and in Hawaii for export. Growing to 5 m (16 ft), it has small flowers which turn red as they mature, and black, cherry-like fruits.

S. freycinetianum, iliahi tree, from Hawaii, is cultivated there for export.

S. lannceolatum, plum or cherry bush, or northern sandalwood, is a small tree with lovely, pendulous foliage and edible, round, black fruits.

S. spicatum, fragrant or Swan River sandalwood, threatened with extinction, is the most commercially important species, as the oil is used as a fixative for perfumes. This small, bushy tree, to 3-4 m (10-13 ft) high, has blueish green foliage and small, yellow fruits.

Cultivation

Outside the tropics, sandalwoods need to be grown in a warm greenhouse, but are generally considered outside the scope of the home gardener. The seeds of all species, except S. lancealatum, have hard shells which require nicking before being placed, nick down-wards, in a sharp sand and peat mix of 3:1, in a partially shaded spot. Plants need to be kept moist in summer. Santalum species need a host when small, so plant with another small shrub or grass and transplant together.

Climate

Zone 10 to tropical.