Sandalwood.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Difficile

Type de plante

Evergreen tree

Lumière

Full sun

Lumière en intérieur

Soleil direct

Arrosage

Tous les 7 à 14 jours

Taille adulte

30 to 50 feet

Croissance

Lente

Rusticité

USDA 10 à 12

Floraison

Throughout the year

Entretien

Provide plenty of direct sunlight and ensure the soil remains well drained to prevent root rot. Keep an eye out for yellowing leaves which may indicate poor drainage or a lack of a suitable host plant. It is essential to plant this near a host species for it to survive long term.

Arrosage

Water deeply when the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.

Engrais

Use a balanced slow release fertilizer during the active growing season.

Taille

Prune lightly in late winter to maintain shape and remove any dead branches.

Rempotage

Repot only when the tree has clearly outgrown its container and shows signs of being root bound.

Sol

Well drained sandy or loamy soil

pH du sol

6.0 to 7.5

Température

15 à 35°C

Humidité

50 à 80%

Sécurité

Humains

The wood and oil are generally safe, but ingestion of plant parts is not recommended.

Enfants

The berries are not edible and should be kept away from small children to prevent choking.

Allergènes de contact

Essential oil from the heartwood may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Allergènes aéroportés

Pollen may trigger mild allergic reactions in some people.

Comestibilité

The fruit is generally not consumed by humans and is not considered a food crop.

Comment l'identifier

• Opposite, leathery, oval shaped leaves
• Small, fragrant, reddish brown flowers
• Smooth, greyish brown bark
• Hemiparasitic root system

Hauteur

4 à 15m

Envergure

2 à 6m

Feuilles

green, evergreen

Fleurs

yellow, red, purple, 0,5 à 1cm

Fruits

black, red, Year round

Problèmes courants

• Spike disease — A phytoplasma infection that causes stunted growth and leaf yellowing.

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed, cuttings

Quand planter

spring, summer

Always plant a compatible host tree within a few feet to ensure the sandalwood receives proper nutrition.

Bonnes associations

• Acacia — Acts as a primary host plant for the sandalwood roots.
• Coastal she oak — Provides excellent host support for nutrient uptake.

Espèces similaires

• Pterocarpus santalinus — Often confused due to the name, though it is a different species.

Science

Famille

Santalaceae

Genre

Santalum

Ordre

Santalales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Tropical regions of India, Indonesia, and northern Australia.

Préservation

This species is vulnerable in the wild due to overharvesting for its fragrant heartwood.

It survives by attaching its roots to the roots of other trees to extract water and nutrients.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons

Utilisations

fragrance production, medicinal oil, ornamental tree

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Can I grow sandalwood in a pot?

It is very difficult because it requires a host plant to survive.

How do I provide a host plant?

Plant it alongside a suitable host species like Acacia or Casuarina.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name Santalum comes from the Persian word for the wood, while album refers to the white color of the wood.

Bon à savoir

• Sandalwood oil is one of the most valuable essential oils in the world.
• The tree must be at least 30 years old to produce high quality heartwood.
• It is a hemiparasite, meaning it steals nutrients from nearby host plants.
• The wood is traditionally used for carvings and incense.