Santalum spicatum – Australian Sandalwood seeds x 5

Sandalwood has been exported from Australia since the 1850’s competing with Santalum alba (Indian Sandalwood) for market share. Like other members of the Santalum Family it is hemi-parasitic, that is, it takes nutrients but not sugars from other plants by spreading underground up to 10 metres to attach itself to their roots. Sugars are obtained from their own photosynthesis and it has been seen that their fruit has qualities that are normally only seen in those of its hosts.

A tall shrub or small tree to 4 metres (13ft), its bark is rough and dark grey; the branches tend to have a weeping habit; the leaves are slender to ovate with an acute tip, opposite, shortly petiolate, leathery and pale or yellow-green; the flowers are green or white on the outer parts and reddish or brown on the inner and fragrant; the fruit is a reddish-brown drupe, with 3mm of flesh covering a 20-25mm round, brown nut. Unlike its cousin the Desert Quandong, its fruit is considered inedible.

Not considered endangered because of its widespread presence ranging across all of West Australia south of Karratha and extending into South Australia ceasing at the Stirling Ranges. The aromatic, dense wood is sought for its fragrance and used in Asian religious events.