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Study Guide: Sandalwood: Botanical, Historical, and Cultural Dimensions

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Sandalwood: Botanical, Historical, and Cultural Dimensions Study Guide

Sandalwood: Botanical Classification and Distinctive Properties

Sandalwood is a category of woods from the *Santalum* genus, known for being heavy, yellow, fine-grained, and retaining its fragrance for decades.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source defines sandalwood as woods from the *Santalum* genus, characterized by being heavy, yellow, fine-grained, and retaining their fragrance for decades.

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The term 'sandalwood' originated directly from the Latin word *candere*, meaning 'to shine or glow'.

Answer: False

Explanation: The term 'sandalwood' is ultimately derived from the Sanskrit word *Chandana*, though it is related to the Latin *candere*.

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True sandalwood trees are fully parasitic, deriving all their nutrients from host plants.

Answer: False

Explanation: True sandalwood trees are classified as medium-sized *hemiparasitic* trees, meaning they obtain *some* nutrients from other plants, not all.

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Only plants belonging to the *Santalum* genus can be referred to as 'sandalwood'.

Answer: False

Explanation: Various unrelated plants with scented wood are also colloquially referred to as 'sandalwood,' despite not belonging to the true *Santalum* genus.

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Sandalwood oil's scent profile is characterized by a sharp, citrusy, and intensely floral aroma.

Answer: False

Explanation: Sandalwood oil possesses a distinctive soft, warm, smooth, creamy, and milky precious-wood scent, not a sharp, citrusy, or intensely floral aroma.

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Which of the following is a distinguishing characteristic of sandalwood?

Answer: It is heavy, yellow, has a fine grain, and retains its fragrance for decades.

Explanation: Sandalwood is characterized by being heavy, yellow, fine-grained, and notably retains its fragrance for many decades.

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From which ancient language is the term 'sandalwood' ultimately derived?

Answer: Sanskrit

Explanation: The term 'sandalwood' is ultimately derived from the Sanskrit word *Chandana*.

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True sandalwood trees are classified botanically as:

Answer: Medium-sized hemiparasitic trees.

Explanation: True sandalwood trees are botanically classified as medium-sized hemiparasitic trees.

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Which of the following is an example of a plant referred to as 'sandalwood' but not belonging to the true *Santalum* genus?

Answer: *Adenanthera pavonina*

Explanation: *Adenanthera pavonina* (red or false red sandalwood) is an example of a plant referred to as 'sandalwood' that does not belong to the true *Santalum* genus.

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Which of the following best describes the distinctive scent profile of sandalwood oil?

Answer: Soft, warm, smooth, creamy, and milky precious-wood.

Explanation: Sandalwood oil possesses a distinctive soft, warm, smooth, creamy, and milky precious-wood scent.

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Historical Trajectories: Global Distribution and Trade Networks

True sandalwoods are naturally native to specific regions including Insular Southeast Asia, Melanesia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source explicitly states that true sandalwoods are native to Insular Southeast Asia, Melanesia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.

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*Santalum album* was introduced to mainland Asia in ancient times by European traders and has since naturalized in South Asia.

Answer: False

Explanation: *Santalum album* was introduced to mainland Asia by Austronesian traders, not European traders.

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The primary distribution areas for both wild and introduced sandalwood trees are the drier tropical regions of India and the Indonesian islands of Timor and Sumba.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source identifies the drier tropical regions of India and the Indonesian islands of Timor and Sumba as the primary distribution areas for both wild and introduced sandalwood trees.

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*Santalum album* spread to other regions exclusively through the Maritime Silk Road until the sixteenth century CE.

Answer: False

Explanation: *Santalum album* spread through multiple historical trade networks, including the Austronesian maritime trade network, the incense trade route, and the Maritime Silk Road, not exclusively the latter.

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During the incense trade route era, the sandalwood produced in peninsular India and the Malay Archipelago supported most of the consumption in East Asia and West Asia.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that during the incense trade route era, peninsular India and the Malay Archipelago were the primary suppliers of sandalwood for East and West Asian consumption.

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*Santalum album* became naturalized in South India by at least 1300 CE.

Answer: False

Explanation: *Santalum album* became naturalized in South India by at least 1300 BCE, not 1300 CE.

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In India, the principal sandalwood tracts are found in most parts of Karnataka and the adjoining districts of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that the principal sandalwood tracts in India are located in Karnataka and the adjoining districts of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh.

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Hawaiian sandalwood species like *S. ellipticum* and *S. freycinetianum* have fully recovered their former abundance and size after historical exploitation.

Answer: False

Explanation: While *S. freycinetianum* is relatively common today, it has not recovered its former abundance or size, and *S. ellipticum* remains rare after historical exploitation.

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Sandalwood was Western Australia's largest export earner in the 1840s, and its oil production peaked at over 20,000 kg per year by 2009.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that sandalwood was Western Australia's largest export earner in the 1840s and that its oil production peaked at over 20,000 kg per year by 2009.

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Prior to colonization, sandalwood trees in the Pacific region were primarily traded with Western merchants for economic gain.

Answer: False

Explanation: Prior to colonization, sandalwood in the Pacific region served as a significant marker of status, rank, and beauty within local societies, not primarily for trade with Western merchants.

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Sandalwood became a crucial component of Pacific trade during the colonial period because it was one of the few resources Western traders could exchange with Chinese merchants.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source states that during the colonial period, sandalwood was a crucial component of Pacific trade because it was one of the few resources Western traders could successfully exchange with Chinese merchants.

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Which of the following regions is NOT naturally native to true sandalwoods?

Answer: Europe

Explanation: True sandalwoods are native to Insular Southeast Asia, Melanesia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands; Europe is not listed as a native region.

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What is the primary cultivated species of sandalwood that was introduced into mainland Asia by Austronesian traders?

Answer: *Santalum album*

Explanation: *Santalum album* is the primary cultivated species introduced into mainland Asia by Austronesian traders.

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Which historical trade network was NOT mentioned as a route through which *Santalum album* spread to various regions?

Answer: The Silk Road overland route

Explanation: The source mentions the Austronesian maritime trade network, the incense trade route, and the Maritime Silk Road as routes for *Santalum album* spread, but not the Silk Road overland route.

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During the incense trade route era, which two regions primarily supplied sandalwood for consumption in East and West Asia?

Answer: Peninsular India and the Malay Archipelago

Explanation: During the incense trade route era, peninsular India and the Malay Archipelago primarily supplied sandalwood for consumption in East and West Asia.

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By what year had *Santalum album* become naturalized in South India?

Answer: 1300 BCE

Explanation: *Santalum album* became naturalized in South India by at least 1300 BCE.

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Which Indian state is NOT mentioned as having principal sandalwood tracts?

Answer: Gujarat

Explanation: The principal sandalwood tracts in India are found in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh; Gujarat is not mentioned.

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Which Hawaiian sandalwood species is mentioned as remaining rare today after historical exploitation?

Answer: *S. ellipticum*

Explanation: Among the Hawaiian sandalwood species historically exploited, *S. ellipticum* is noted as remaining rare today.

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When did sandalwood become Western Australia's largest export earner?

Answer: 1840s

Explanation: Sandalwood was Western Australia's largest export earner in the 1840s.

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Prior to colonization, what was the significance of the sandalwood tree in the political economy of the Pacific?

Answer: It served as a significant marker of status, rank, and beauty.

Explanation: Prior to colonization, the sandalwood tree in the Pacific region served as a significant marker of status, rank, and beauty within local societies.

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Cultivation, Extraction, and Production Dynamics

*Santalum album* trees must be at least 10 years old to produce commercially valuable sandalwood oil.

Answer: False

Explanation: *Santalum album* trees need to be a minimum of 15 years old to produce commercially valuable sandalwood with high levels of fragrance oils.

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Australia is currently the largest producer of *Santalum album*, with the majority grown around Kununurra in Western Australia.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source explicitly states that Australia is currently the largest producer of *Santalum album*, with most cultivation occurring around Kununurra in Western Australia.

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Sandalwood harvesting maximizes profit by felling the tree at the trunk near ground level, leaving the roots.

Answer: False

Explanation: To maximize profit, sandalwood is harvested by removing the entire tree, including the stump and root, as these parts contain high levels of valuable oil.

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Australian sandalwood (*S. spicatum*) requires the removal of its white sapwood before oil distillation, similar to Indian sandalwood.

Answer: False

Explanation: Australian sandalwood (*S. spicatum*) is unique because its white sapwood does *not* require removal before oil distillation, unlike Indian sandalwood (*S. album*).

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What is the minimum age *Santalum album* trees need to reach to produce commercially valuable sandalwood oil with high levels of fragrance?

Answer: 15 years

Explanation: *Santalum album* trees need to be a minimum of 15 years old to produce commercially valuable sandalwood with high levels of fragrance oils.

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Which country is currently the largest producer of *Santalum album*?

Answer: Australia

Explanation: Australia is currently the largest producer of *Santalum album*.

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To maximize profit, how is sandalwood typically harvested?

Answer: By removing the entire tree, including the stump and root.

Explanation: To maximize profit, sandalwood is harvested by removing the entire tree, including the stump and root, to capture the valuable oil concentrated in these parts.

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What is a key difference in processing Australian sandalwood (*S. spicatum*) compared to Indian sandalwood (*S. album*) for oil distillation?

Answer: *S. spicatum* does not require sapwood removal.

Explanation: A key difference is that Australian sandalwood (*S. spicatum*) does not require the removal of its white sapwood before oil distillation, unlike Indian sandalwood (*S. album*).

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Sandalwood in Religious and Cultural Practices

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Contemporary Applications and Synthetic Alternatives

In perfumery, what is a key role of sandalwood oil when used in smaller quantities?

Answer: To serve as a fixative, enhancing longevity of volatile components.

Explanation: In perfumery, when used in smaller quantities, sandalwood oil acts as a fixative, enhancing the longevity of more volatile components in a perfume.

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Why is there a demand for alternative 'sandalwood' sources in India's cosmetic industry?

Answer: *S. album* is a protected species, and demand cannot be fully met.

Explanation: In India's cosmetic industry, demand for sandalwood oil cannot be fully met because *S. album* is a protected species, leading to a demand for alternative sources.

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