Semi-parasitism in the sandalwood(Santalum album L．) seedlings was studied on the basis of propagation of different host plant species． The sandalwood plants can grow normally without host plant during seed germ ination and early seedling stage． However， the subsequent growth needs suitable host plant for roots to be parasitized． The experiment indicated that host plant species had great impact on the growth of sandalwood seedlings and their root haustoria， which revealed the differences in haustorium number， size and adhesiveness．Based on our preliminary study， host plants species， such as Hibiscus rosa—sinensis and Phyllanthus reticulatus were found good for the growth of sandalwood seedlings． It was observed that the sandalwood roots lacked root hairs， but its vessels were well developed， which is benefit for absorption of water an d nutrition from the host roots．The process ofroot semi-parasitism ofsandalwood in Hibiscus was also investigated．
