Santalum freycinetianum

Santalum freycinetianum, known as ʻIliahi or Freycinet sandalwood, is a flowering tree native to the Hawaiian Islands. It belongs to the Santalaceae family and is named after Henri Louis de Saulces de Freycinet, a French explorer. This species thrives in various forest types across Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, and Molokaʻi at elevations of 250–950 meters (820–3,120 ft) with annual rainfall ranging from 500 to 3,800 mm (20–150 in). As a root hemi-parasite, it获取s nutrients from host plants like koa (Acacia koa), koaiʻa (Acacia koaia), and ʻaʻaliʻi (Dodonaea viscosa).

Three varieties of S. freycinetianum are recognized: var. freycinetianum on Molokaʻi and Oʻahu; var. lanaiense on Lānaʻi and Maui; and var. pyrularium on Kauaʻi.

The tree has both non-medicinal and medicinal uses. Its aromatic heartwood was used by Native Hawaiians to make canoe decks, perfumes, and kapa cloth dye. It was extensively harvested between 1791–1840 for export to China, where it was carved into objects and incense. The trade peaked from 1815–1826 until the large trees were depleted.

Medicinally, a mixture of its leaves and bark with naio (Myoporum sandwicense) ashes treated dandruff and head lice. Shavings combined with other plants like ʻawa (Piper methysticum), nioi (Eugenia reinwardtiana), ʻahakea (Bobea spp.), and kauila (Alphitonia ponderosa) were used to treat sexually transmitted diseases.