Sandalwood, Northern sandalwood, Bush plum
Santalum lanceolatum

Family: Santalaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows to 4-5 m high. The bark is grey and flaky. The branches hang down. They leaves are greyish-blue. They are fleshy. The leaves are 5 cm long by 3.5 cm wide. They taper at both ends. The flowers are in clusters at the ends of branches. Each flower is made up of 4 yellow-green fused petals. The fruit are round and red or black when ripe. They have a scar around the top. The fruit are in clusters on long stalks. The fruit have a small amount of flesh covering a single large seed. The plant grows as a parasite on the roots of other plants.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in inland Australia. They often grow in groups along water courses. They can also be at the base of rocky outcrops where water runs off. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are slow growing. Plants often fruit after favourable rains.

Its other names

Local names

Ankwerlay, Arnguli, Bilalur, Blue Bush, Kupata, Lanceleaf sandalwood, Ngamumbirra, Ngilunpa, Plumbush

Synonyms

Santalum leptocladium Gand.; Santalum megacarpum R. Br.; Santalum oblongatum R. Br.; and others