False Sandalwood

The name 'False Sandalwood' is applied to multiple unrelated species across different regions:

• Myoporum sandwicense (Naio) — endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, found on all main islands from sea level to ~2,300 m elevation
• Eremophila mitchellii (False Sandalwood) — native to inland eastern Australia, widespread across New South Wales and Queensland
• Myoporum platycarpum (Sugarwood) — native to arid and semi-arid regions of southern Australia

These species evolved independently in geographically isolated arid zones, developing convergent adaptations to water scarcity and high temperatures.

Morphology varies by species, but general characteristics of plants commonly called False Sandalwood include:

• Growth form: shrubs to small trees, typically 2–10 m tall
• Leaves: simple, alternate, often thick and leathery (sclerophyllous), an adaptation to reduce water loss; some species have resinous or aromatic foliage
• Bark: rough, dark, and fissured in mature specimens
• Flowers: small, tubular or bell-shaped, often white to pale purple; insect-pollinated
• Fruit: drupes or capsules containing small seeds; in Myoporum species, fruits are fleshy purple-black drupes (~5–8 mm diameter)
• Root system: extensive and deep, enabling access to groundwater in arid soils; some species are hemiparasitic, attaching to roots of neighboring plants to obtain water and nutrients

False Sandalwood species are keystone components of arid and semi-arid ecosystems:

• Habitat: dry woodlands, rocky slopes, coastal dunes, and desert margins
• Drought adaptations: thick cuticles, sunken stomata, reduced leaf area, and deep taproots
• Ecological role: provides food and shelter for native birds and insects; fleshy fruits are an important food source for frugivorous birds, which also serve as seed dispersers
• Fire ecology: some Australian Eremophila species are fire-sensitive and rely on seed banks for post-fire regeneration
• Hemiparasitism: Myoporum and related genera in the Scrophulariaceae are facultative root hemiparasites, forming haustorial connections with host plant roots

False Sandalwood species are valued in xeriscaping and habitat restoration due to their extreme drought tolerance:

• Light: full sun; intolerant of shade
• Soil: well-drained sandy, loamy, or rocky soils; tolerates poor, nutrient-deficient substrates; pH range 6.0–8.0
• Watering: minimal once established; overwatering is the most common cause of failure; water deeply but infrequently during the first growing season to encourage deep root development
• Temperature: tolerates extreme heat (up to 45°C) and, in some species, light frost (down to approximately -5°C)
• Propagation: from seed (may require scarification or smoke treatment for some Eremophila species) or semi-hardwood cuttings
• Common Problems: root rot in poorly drained soils; susceptibility to root-knot nematodes in sandy soils; generally pest-resistant once established