Santalum ellipticum Gaudich.

A bushy shrub or a small tree with several stems. It grows 5-10 m high. It has roots that grow attached to other plants from which is gets nutrients. The leaves are greyish green and 3-6 cm long. They are 2-4 cm wide. They can be leathery or soft. They usually have a fine white powder that can easily be rubbed off. The flowers are green and in compound groups. They have a sweet smell. The fruit are about 1 cm across and have a ring at the top. The fruit are purple to black when ripe. They contain one seed.

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 non­native species; at elevations up to 560 metres

The seeds are edible and tasty.

Plants are grown from seed.