Santalum lanceolatum

Santalum lanceolatum is an Australian tree of the family Santalaceae. It is commonly known as Desert Quandong, Northern Sandalwood, Sandalwood or True Sandalwood and in some restricted areas as Burdardu. The height of this plant is variable, from 1 to 7 metres. The flowers are green, white, and cream; appearing between January and October. The species has a distribution throughout central Australia, becoming scattered or unusual in more southern regions.^[1]

Taxonomy

Santalum lanceolatum was described by Robert Brown in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae (1810).^[2]

Distribution and habitat

The native range of the plant extends from north-western Victoria, northwards through New South Wales to North Queensland, westwards across The Northern Territory and into North Western Western Australia. It is a plant primarily of arid and semi-arid inland areas although its distribution reaches the coast in both Central Queensland and The Kimberley. The tree is becoming increasingly rare across much of its desert range due to destructive browsing by feral camels.

Ecology

The family Santalaceae falls within the mistletoe clade, and S. lanceolatum is a hemi-parasite which obtains some of its water and mineral nutrient requirements from the roots of other plants.

Medicinal uses

The plant is used by the people of the northwest for medicinal purposes, and is placed within the 'Burndad song cycle' of those countries.^[3]

Large populations of Santalum lanceolatum are recorded at Gregory Gorge, which is located at the Fortescue River. As with the related taxa, in the genus Santalum, the products of this tree have been used in a variety of ways. By processing the nut, the oil of the kernel can be utilised as a hair tonic. A topical cream is prepared as a paste from its roots which have antibacterial qualities. Burning the leaves repels insects.^[3]

References