Plants of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Scientific Name Santalum paniculatum Hook. & Arnott
Family Santalaceae (Sandalwood Family)
Other Names Sandalwood, `iliahi
Status Endemic
Distribution Scattered in dry woodlands where it is found on lava or cinder substrates and ranges to higher elevation wet forests or secondary Metrosideros forests.  Covers an elevation range from 450 to 2,000 m on the island of Hawai`i (Wagner et al. 1990).
Locations in this Guide Devil's Throat (along the south side of the Chain of Craters Road).
General Appearance
These are shrubs or small trees that are usually 3 to 10 m (9 to 30 ft) tall, with an occasional individual reaching 20 m (60 ft) heights (Wagner et al. 1990).
Leaves
The leaves are light green, except for those growing at the tips of the branches, where they are distinctively purple to light pink mixed with green.

The upper surface of the leaf is glossy while the lower surface is dull and more or less pale (Wagner et al. 1990).

The leaves generally are about 6 cm (XX) long and 2.5 to 4.5 cm (XX) wide (Wagner et al. 1990).

 
Flowers & Fruits
The flowers occur in clusters at the tips of the branches.
 
The fruits (drupes) are 10 to 12 mm long (XX) and are purple to black when they are mature (Wagner et al. 1990).
Phenology
Natural History
Conservation
Miscellaneous Photos
Other Notes
References
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Last Updated: 07/14/05

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