Santalum fernandezianum

The Juan Fernández sandalwood ( Santalum fernandezianum ) is an extinct species of the genus sandalwood ( Santalum ). She was endemic to Robinson Crusoe Island and was last detected in 1908.

Features

The Juan Fernández sandalwood was a halbparasitärer tree reaching a height of about nine meters. The wood was characterized by a long-lasting, aromatic scent. The dark, brownish- gray, scaly bark was zersplittet into rectangular pieces. The young branches contributed to constant pairs of shiny, dark green, slightly fleshy, oblong, mostly 4.5 to 8.5 cm long leaves. The blade tip was either tipped or cut. The terminal, pyramidal, fleshy flower spikes had a diameter of four to five millimeters. The bloom was largely triangular and densely hairy on the surface.

Habitat

The habitat of the Juan Fernández sandalwood forests were. The last specimen was discovered in a ravine, where it occurred in association with Nothomyrcia fernandeziana, Fagaza maya, Drimus confertifolia and Coprosoma pyrifolia.

Use

The wood of the Juan Fernández sandalwood was highly sought after and was used for the production of images and relics box.

Extinction

Around the year 1624 the Juan Fernández sandalwood was widespread on the Robinson Crusoe Island. Due to the depletion of the Sandelbäumen whose sweet -smelling and valuable timber was shipped to Peru, the Juan Fernández sandal was already in 1740 become very rare. Even feral goats have contributed significantly to the decline of the species. 1908 photographed Carl Skottsberg the last living tree, which only had a single verdant branch. As Skottsberg 1916 again visited the island, the specimen was received.