Kayu papi or shrub sandalwood (Exocarpus latifolius R.Br.) is
a hemiparasitic plant, member of Santalacea family which incorporated
host plant on their nutrient absorption. Kayu papi is a fragrant wood
that can mimic and perhaps substitute sandalwood (Santalum album Linn.).
Many studies recorded that exocarpic acid derived from kayu papi is also
beneficial as a tuberculosis remedy. However, the information on silvicultural
techniques has only been investigated just a few times. This study aimed to
examine the effect of host plants and media combination on kayu papi’s
growth under the nursery condition. Kayu papi seedlings were planted
with five different hosts and control (without host plant) on six different
media. The parameters are the height and diameter of the seven-month kayu
papi seedlings. The result indicates that host plants significantly
affected kayu papi’s growth. The interaction between the host plant (Alternanthera
spp.) and media combination latosol soil and manure also significantly
promoted the height of kayu papi. While kayu papi grown in
grumusol with Saorupus androgynous host showed the highest diameter on
average. In conclusion, kayu papi seedlings indicate that host plant
presence and particular media optimized their growth.