Coast Sandalwood (Santalum ellipticum)

Family: Santalaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

A slow-growing, flowering plant endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, Santalum ellipticum or known for its common English name Coast Sandalwood grows up to 5m in height and 30cm in bole diameter. The leaves are grayish green and can either be leathery or soft. The flowers are compound and green. The fruits are purple to black when ripe containing a single seed.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Seed - tasty. The scarcity of seeds, and their high value for propagation, makes their use as food somewhat inappropriate. — The scarcity of seeds, and their high value for propagation, makes their use as food somewhat inappropriate.

Habitat & North American Range

Usually near the ocean shore; less often inland in dry gulches, on slopes or ridges, and frequently in rocky habitats; arid shrub land and forest, often persisting in areas invaded by non_native species; at elevations up to 560 metres,. (Zone 9)