Osyris
Encyclopedia
Osyris is a genus of plants in the family, Santalaceae
Santalaceae
Santalaceae is a widely distributed family of flowering plants which, like other members of Santalales, are partially parasitic on other plants...

, one of the many genera known as Sandalwood
Sandalwood
Sandalwood is the name of a class of fragrant woods from trees in the genus Santalum. The woods are heavy, yellow, and fine-grained, and unlike many other aromatic woods they retain their fragrance for decades. As well as using the harvested and cut wood in-situ, essential oils are also extracted...

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The species of this genus are mostly hemi-parasitic, meaning that although they can survive and grow by themselves, they will also opportunistically tap into the root systems of nearby plants and parasitize them.

Selected species:
  • Osyris alba
    Osyris alba
    Osyris alba, common name Osyris, is a small perennial plant in the genus Osyris belonging to the Santalaceae family.-Description:...

  • Osyris compressa
    Osyris compressa
    Osyris compressa is a facultatively hemiparasitic, mainly South African plant of the Sandalwood family, Santalaceae...

  • Osyris lanceolata
    Osyris lanceolata
    Osyris lanceolata is the African Sandalwood, used for its scented wood and to extract essential oil. The species is found in Algiers, Zimbabwe, Widespread in all East African Countries but not usually abundant in any one place. It is a hemi-parasitic...

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