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Indian sandalwood
A modest evergreen tree, rarely more than about ten metres, whose heartwood carries the scent. It is a root parasite: it cannot grow alone and taps neighbouring plants for water and nutrients.
👀 How to recognise it
Small drooping leaves in opposite pairs, thin dark bark with vertical cracks, and clusters of tiny purple-brown flowers. Labelled specimens are the reliable way to see one - scent comes from the wood, not the leaves.
Protection
Harvest and transport are regulated by Karnataka forest law; felling without permission is an offence
Where to see it
Bengaluru
The state tree of Karnataka and the reason Mysore became a sandalwood name. For most of the twentieth century every sandalwood tree in Karnataka belonged to the state even when it stood in a private garden; the law was relaxed so that growers could own and sell their own trees.
Lalbagh Botanical Garden (often) · Bannerghatta Biological Park (in season)
Mysore
The Mysore state sandalwood oil factory was set up in 1916, when the First World War cut off exports of raw wood and the princely state decided to distil the oil itself.
Karanji Lake Nature Park (in season) · Chamundi Hill Sunset Point & the 1,008 Steps
Tirumala
Sandalwood paste is central to temple ritual across South India. Sandalwood and red sanders, two entirely different trees often confused by name, both grow under protection in these hills.
Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park (in season) · Talakona Waterfall