Red Sandalwood
Pterocarpus santalinus L.f.
Location
Butterfly Garden
Family
Fabaceae
Common names
Red Sandalwood, Raktachandan, Red Sanders
Native range
Southern India, especially the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh.
Habitat
Dry deciduous forests, rocky slopes, and well-drained lateritic soils.
Flowering
March–May
Fruiting
May-July
Conservation status
Endangered due to over-exploitation and habitat loss
About this plant
This species has reddish-brown bark with latex; leaves pinnate with 5–7 leaflets; flowers yellow, appearing April to July; fruits are flat pods containing seeds dispersed by wind; heartwood is prized for its rich red colour and medicinal properties.
Uses
Highly valued for its red-coloured heartwood used in woodworking, carvings, musical instruments, and traditional medicine (as an astringent and anti-inflammatory agent).
Growing conditions
Prefers well-drained red soils (typical of its natural rocky habitat); requires moderate rainfall (800–1000 mm) and a warm, dry climate; tolerates poor, rocky soils but cannot withstand waterlogging
Habit
Small to medium-sized deciduous tree.