Family:

Santalaceae

Santalum lanceolatum

Northern Sandalwood

Other Names: Plum bush, Native Plum, Cherry Bush.

First Nations Name(s):

Name Origin:

Santalum — from Greek santalon, Sandalwood tree.

Regional Subspecies:

Occurrence:

Regional:

Noted in the Brungle Bridge-Gundagai area.

Australia:

Qld, NSW, Vic, SA, WA, NT.

Habitat:

Various woodland communities, from sandy sites to rocky hillsides.

Habit:

Much-branched erect shrub 3-7 m high. Bluish-green leaves 3-6 cm long.

Characteristics:

Parasitises roots of other plants, at least when young.

Flowering:

Throughout year, but mainly Aug-Dec.

Seed Collection:

Collect drupe when dark blue or purple.

Propagation:

From seed. Soak seeds in mild bleach solution for 30 minutes, then wash carefully. Shell can be cracked and removed, or planted whole. Place seeds in plastic bag with moist vermiculite (and fungicide), then secure to make airtight. Keep at 16-25°C. Should germinate in about 1 month. Carefully remove when root is about 1 cm long and plant into a pot or into the field. Seedlings require a host plant for at least the first year.

VALUES:

Wildlife:

Edible sweet drupe eaten by emus.

Fuel:

Emits aromatic scent when burning.

First Nations:

Fruits were eaten.

Other:

Foliage useful fodder.