| Santalaceae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Santalum ellipticum | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Santalales |
| Family: | Santalaceae R.Br. |
| Synonyms[1] | |
ViscaceaeBatsch (1802) | |
TheSantalaceae, sandalwoods, are a widely distributed family offlowering plants (including small trees, shrubs,perennial herbs, andepiphytic climbers[2]) which, like other members ofSantalales, are partially parasitic on other plants. Its flowers are bisexual or, by abortion ("flower drop"), unisexual.[3] Modern treatments of the Santalaceae include the familyViscaceae (mistletoes), previously considered distinct.
TheAPG II system of 2003 recognises the family and assigns it to the orderSantalales in the cladecore eudicots. However, the circumscription by APG is much wider than accepted by previous classifications, including the plants earlier treated in familiesEremolepidaceae andViscaceae. It includes about 1,000 species in 43 genera.[4] Many have reported traditional and cultural uses, including as medicine.[5]
Santalaceae flowers are variable. They are generally small with a valvate perianth in a single whorl.[6] The stamens are fused to the corolla, with a reduced calyx.[7]
All members of this family are hemiparasistic, and attach to the roots or stems of their hosts via haustoria.[8] Aerial parasitism within Santalaceae has been observed in Amphorogyneae, Eremolepidaceae, and Viscaceae.[8]
Multiple genera of Santalaceae have documented medical and cultural uses. The treeSantalum album L. is economically and culturally important and its byproducts are utilized for cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and religious purposes.[9][10] India is the largest producer ofsandalwood oil.[10]
TheThesium genus contains 23 different species that have reported medical or functional uses, with 18 species utilized to treat 137 different health conditions.[11] These include reproductive, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and oral disorders, among others.[11] Medicinal uses of Thesium are confined to African and Asian species.[11]
Various species ofmistletoes, including those within Santalaceae, have extensive cultural importance.
The taxonomy of Santalaceae has undergone extensive and ongoing revisions. The families Amphorogynaceae, Cervantesiaceae, Comandraceae, and Nanodeaceae were previously considered distinct, but have since been reincorporated under Santalaceae.[12] Molecular analysis has confirmed Santalaceae as monophyletic and suggests the presence of eight clades.[12]
40 genera are accepted.[1]
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN (link){{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: article number as page number (link)
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
