aromatic sandalwood

Sandalwood refers to trees in the genus Santalum, particularly Santalum album, known for its fragrant heartwood. These trees are semiparasitic, growing up to 10 meters tall with leathery leaves. The aromatic oil within the wood, sandalwood oil, has a scent that lasts for years and is extracted for use in perfumes, soaps, incense, and traditional medicines.123

Sandalwood trees have been cultivated for centuries, with the heartwood typically taking about 30 years to reach a usable thickness. While Santalum album is the most well-known, other species exist, some of which are endangered due to habitat loss and overharvesting. It's important to note that "red sandalwood" comes from a different tree, Pterocarpus santalinus.1