red sandalwood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Almug
• Red Sandalwood
• Red Sanders
• Saunderswood
• red sanderswood
• red saunders
• red-sandalwood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lingoum santalinum
• Draco santalum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Pterocarpus, which includes the medicinal species Pterocarpus santalinus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the Indian Subcontinent. It is native to the diverse landscapes found throughout India, where it thrives in various ecological niches. Furthermore, the species can be found growing within the borders of Bangladesh. Its presence also extends across the waters to the island nation of Sri Lanka. Consequently, these three countries represent the primary natural habitats for Pterocarpus santalinus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Pterocarpus santalinus is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years. As it undergoes its seasonal cycles, the plant exhibits deciduousness, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its natural growth rhythm.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pterocarpus santalinus is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, reaching a mean plant height of approximately 15 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant is strictly self-supporting in its structure, lacking the climbing or vine-like habits found in other species, and is defined by its robust, woody composition.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pterocarpus santalinus is characterized by a specialized metabolic framework designed for survival in arid environments. The plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a fundamental metabolic process where carbon dioxide is fixed directly into a three-carbon compound during the initial stages of photosynthesis. Furthermore, the species exhibits a significant symbiotic capacity as a nitrogen fixer, incorporating biological nitrogen fixation processes that allow it to enhance soil fertility and sustain growth in nutrient-poor substrates.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pterocarpus santalinus is driven by biotic pollination mechanisms, indicating a high level of dependency on living organisms for successful fertilization. The plant utilizes a complex pollination syndrome that primarily involves insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen between flowers. Specifically, bees play a critical role in this reproductive process, acting as key pollinators that ensure genetic exchange. This reliance on biotic agents, particularly insect and bee interactions, characterizes its reproductive strategy, distinguishing it from plants that depend on abiotic factors like wind or water.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Pterocarpus santalinus has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Journal of chromatography. A
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stem

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Pterocarpus santalinus has 40 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Liquiritigenin, Pterostilbene, Santal, Santalin A, Santalin B.

Liquiritigenin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytochemistry

Pterostilbene

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Santal

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytochemistry

Santalin A

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmacognosy reviews

Santalin B

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmacognosy reviews

7,3'-Dimethylorobol

1. Phytochemistry

Acetyl oleanolic acid

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

Calocedrin

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Activities

Pterocarpus santalinus has 144 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antihyperglycemic, Cytotoxic.

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Bioinformation

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmacognosy reviews

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmacognosy reviews

Antihyperglycemic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Hypoglycemic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Bioinformation

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Pterocarpus santalinus has 16 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, allergy, atopic dermatitis, boils, cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations