Iliahi (sandalwood)

Iliahi On Oahu, iliahi has these folded skinny leaves that hang. But easiest way to tell is the reddish berry. Although it is valued for its fragrant smell, if you put your nose up to it, there is no smell. I think you have to break the branch to get a smell. Do the Iliahi Loop hike in Pearl City to see this plant.

Background Information

• Genus: Santalum
  • 3 Endemic Species
• Sandalwood Family
• Ancient uses: Kapa, Shampoo,
  • Western Trade: Sandalwood trade with Chinese from 1790s-1830s before it was depleted. Kamehameha control trade until he died, then it was a free for all and got out of control which led to a depleted forest void of iliahi trees. It has since made a come back.
• Modern uses:

Appearance

• Height: Coastal 2 feet - 15 feet, Mountain up to 2 feet - 40 feet
• Flower: Coastal - green/white, Mountain- yellow/red/pink
  • Blooms (Year round, mainly summer and spring)
• Leaves: Coastal - light green 1 - 1 1/2 inches long, leathery, Mountain light green 1 - 1 1/2 inches long, droopy in nature, looks semi folded

Source:

Flowering Plants of Hawaii p 1218-1223