What is sandalwood?
A concise introduction to the species, its botany and its cultivation timeline.
Botany
Indian sandalwood (Santalum album) is a small evergreen tree in the family Santalaceae. It is hemi-parasitic — its roots form haustorial connections with a compatible host plant to draw water and nutrients while still photosynthesising on its own.
The commercially valuable component is the aromatic heartwood, which develops slowly in the inner core of mature trees. Essential oil is distilled primarily from heartwood chips and root wood.
Why santalol matters
Sandalwood oil quality is graded largely by its α- and β-santalol content. Premium Indian sandalwood oil typically carries a combined santalol content of 90% or higher, which underpins its price differential over other sandalwood species.
Species reference
| Species | Range | Oil % | Santalol | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Santalum album Indian Sandalwood | Southern peninsular India (esp. Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala) | 3–7% (heartwood) | ≥ 90% α + β-santalol (premium grade) | 12–15 years to commercial harvest |
Santalum spicatum Australian Sandalwood (reference) | Native to Western Australia; imported oil found in global trade | 1.5–3% | Lower santalol; different olfactory profile | 20+ years |