Red Sandalwood

Also known as Almug, Saunderwood, Red Sanders, Red Sanderswood, Red Saunders, Rakta chandana (Indian), Lal Chandan, Ragat Chandan, Rukhto Chandan, Undum

P. santalinus, commonly known as Red Sandalwood, is native and endemic to India and can only be found in the southern parts of the Eastern Ghats. It is a small tree that grows to 5-8 meters in height and has dark grayish bark. The timber is highly demanded domestically and internationally, especially in East Asian countries. Red Sandalwood timber is used for carvings, furniture, poles, and house posts. The rare “wavy” grain variant is highly valued in Japan for its acoustic properties and is used to make musical instruments. In addition, the timber is also exploited for the extraction of santalin (a red pigment used as dye and colorant in food), medicine and cosmetics. Its IUCN Red List status is “endangered.”