Plant of the Week – Pterocarpus santalinus L.f.

The Red sanders tree Pterocarpus santalinus L.f., (Commonly known as ‘Rakthachandhanam’ or ‘Red Sandalwood’) is a much traded tree native to southern India. It’s prized for its vibrant red heartwood, used in traditional medicine, furniture-making, and perfumery. The tree is medium-sized, with pinnately compound leaves with usually 3-leaflets and yellow flowers in panicles. Fruit a flat pod containing 1 – 2 seeds; Due to over-exploitation and habitat loss, the plant population is getting depleted and is listed as Endangered (EN) as per IUCN Red List 2025.1. This important medicinal plant is documented in ‘Hortus Malabaricus Volume 5’ by Van Rheede.

Green Ahalia as part of our conservation effort, is engaged to conserve and protect this highly valued medicinal plant. A conservatory germplasm of Pterocarpus santalinus is established in Chaayathara, an Annex of Ahalia campus. A closely related species Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. is more common in the region.

For more details : greenahalia@ahhkv.org