Indian sandalwood, White sandalwood
Santalum album

Family: Santalaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows to 3 m high. The leaves are opposite and smooth. They are oval and 2.5-7 cm long by 1.5-4 cm wide. They are light green above and paler underneath. The stalk is about 1 cm long and has a groove. The flowers are small and red or green. They are about 0.5 cm long. The fruit are smooth and round. They are fleshy with a stone inside. The fruit are 0.7-1 cm across. They are shiny red to black when ripe. There is a single seed inside. It normally feeds on the roots of nearby plants for some of its nutrients. It cannot grow on the roots of the Mango family.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to India. It grows in dry rocky mountain slopes. It is a tropical plant. It suits seasonally dry regions. It grows on dunes near the coast. It cannot tolerate frost. Bombay. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Central America, China, Cuba, East Timor, Fiji, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Marquesas, Myanmar, Pacific, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, USA, West Indies, West Timor

How it is used for food

The bark is sometimes chewed instead of betel nuts. Sandalwood essence adds a flavour to syrups. An essential oil from the heartwood and roots is used as flavouring in commercial chewing gum, bakery products, ice cream and candy. The fruit is edible when ripe.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, spice, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seed. They can take 2 months to germinate. The seedlings need to attach to a host plant about one month are germination. They can be grown from root cuttings.

It is slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Agarugandha, Ai-kameli, Ananditam, Bavanna, Bhandrasri, Cendana, Chandan, Chandana, Chandanamu, Chandanapuchettu, Chondono, Etemukiaro, Gandha-chakoda, Gandha, Gandhataruvu, Gondassaro, Kulavuri, Mawk-san-ku, Peetchandan, Safed-chandan, Sandal, Sandaman, Santagu, Sriganda, Srigandhamu, Srikhanda, Sufaid-chandan, Sukhad, Sukhet, Talia-parnam, Tellagandhapu-chettu, Ulocidam, White saunders, Yellow sandalwood

Synonyms

Santalum ovata R. Br.; and others