Pterocarpus santalinus
| Pterocarpus santalinus | |
|---|---|
| In Talakona forest, in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, India | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Pterocarpus |
| Species: | P. santalinus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pterocarpus santalinus | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Pterocarpus santalinus, with the common names red sanders, red saunders, Yerra Chandanam, Chenchandanam, red sandalwood, Rakta Chandana, and rakto chandon, is a species of Pterocarpus endemic to the southern Eastern Ghats mountain range of South India. It is known for its red colour and has been used for furniture, musical instruments, and traditional herbal medicine. Because of the high market value for its timber, the species has been overexploited, and illegal trade remains a problem. It is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. It should not be confused with the aromatic Santalum sandalwood trees native to southern India.