Useful trees are believed to be threatened. However, most evidence about these concerns is anecdotal. The objectives of this study were to document uses of Albizia coriaria Welw. ex Oliv., local harvesting patterns, perceptions about the species population dynamics, as well as local attitudes to its conservation. A further objective was to determine its availability, distribution and population structure. The study was carried out using ethnobotanical and quantitative ecological methods. The species was found to be multipurpose and produced fourteen different products and services. The most frequently mentioned products were herbal medicines, sawn timber and wood for construction. Individuals of the species were sometimes felled to harvest wood. Community responses indicated that the species was rare and was declining in the area. The quantitative inventory supported this community view: the species had a low density (33 individuals, >5 cm diameter at breast height per ha) and a flat size class distribution with a calculated least‐squares regression slope of −0.0357. The species population appeared to be threatened by clearing of land for crop agriculture, human population growth, logging and a poor attitude to its conservation. Respondents claimed that they were not interested in conserving it because they had a low appreciation of its true value; lacked land, propagation material and skills; or because the species was slow growing.

The increasing demand for ornamental, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products is driving exploitation of plant species globally. Sub-Saharan Africa harbours unique and valuable plant resources and is now a target of plant resource depletion. African Sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata), a multi-purpose and drought-tolerant species, has seen increased exploitation for the last thirty years and is now declared endangered. Initiatives to conserve O. lanceolata are not yet successful in Africa due to poor understanding of the species. This review surveys relevant research on the ecology, taxonomy, population dynamics, genetic diversity and ethnobotany of O. lanceolata, and highlights gaps in the literature for further research. A scoping review of grey literature, scholarly papers and reports was applied with pre-determined criteria to screen relevant information. Review findings indicate O. lanceolata is a globally distributed species with no identified center of origin. In Africa, it ranges from Algeria to Ethiopia and south to South Africa; in Europe it occurs in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands; in Asia from India to China, and also on Socotra. The species has a confusing taxonomy, with unresolved issues in nomenclature, country range distribution, extensive synonymisation and variation in growth form (shrub or tree). The species population is reported to be declining in Africa, but information on population dynamics across its entire range of distribution is anecdotal. Additionally, ecological factors influencing spatial distribution and survival of the species remain unknown. A variety of uses are reported for O. lanceolata globally, including: cultural; medicinal and food; dye; perfumery; timber; ethnoveterinary and phytoremediation. Key research areas and implications for conservation of O. lanceolata in Sub-Saharan Africa are proposed.