Santalaceae
/ˌsæn.təˈleɪ.si.iː/noun
A botanical family of flowering plants that includes sandalwoods and other often parasitic or hemiparasitic plants.
Did you know?The family name ultimately traces to Sanskrit candana, the source of sandalwood’s sacred reputation across South Asian religious traditions.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
candana
“Sandalwood, especially fragrant sandalwood used in ritual, medicine, and perfumery”
Ancient Greek
Greek
santalon
“Sandalwood, borrowed from an eastern language”
Late Latin
Latin
santalum
“Sandalwood; the botanical genus name later derived from this form”
18th Century
Scientific Latin
Santalum
“A genus of sandalwood trees”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
Santalaceae
“The plant family formed from Santalum with the taxonomic family suffix -aceae”
Modern English
English
Santalaceae
“The sandalwood family, including sandalwoods and related parasitic or hemiparasitic plants”
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