The coveted, woody scent of Australian sandalwood is driving ... supports other trees' growth, so as sandalwood deteriorates, ...

Shutterstock Australian sandalwood, one of about 15 different species of sandalwood ... Ecologically, it’s a keystone resource in the arid outback, often flowering and fruiting when other plants are ...

While it's viewed as a forestry timber in WA, sandalwood is protected and listed as "vulnerable" in South Australia. "It's one of the fastest disappearing plants in our landscape at the moment ...

Australian sandalwood, one of about 15 different species ... often flowering and fruiting when other plants are not. It attaches its roots to host plants such as acacias, enabling it to derive ...

And I just thought, 'What?' Because we – overseas – used a lot of Australian ingredients in our perfumes, like sandalwood. I found it very intriguing." Intriguing, and ripe with opportunity.

PERTH, Australia—Long valued for its scent by perfume makers and worshipers at Indian temples, sandalwood is proving irresistible to another group: packs of smugglers roaming the Australian outback.