Woody > Cananga > Cananga odorata > Cananga odorata
Cananga odorata
Ylang Ylang
Origin: Indo-Malaysia.
Mike's
Opinion
"
Popular in warm moist climates and more commonly used as a street tree planting. This South African evergreen tree is known for its year round, rich scented flowers that hang on long stalks with greenish yellow petals. Commonly referred to as Ylang Ylang, this plant has many other uses other than a fragrant specimen plant, such as key ingredients in perfumes and expensive soaps.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Annonaceae |
| Genus |
| Cananga |
| Species |
| odorata |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (evergreen), Shrub (evergreen) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 11- above |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| Requires cool season protection under glass. |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H1c |
| Temperature (°C) |
| 7 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 45 |
| Height |
| 12 m |
| Spread |
| 6 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| Tall tree with greyish bark usually scarred up the main stem. Large specimens are branched on a 45° angle to a lateral pattern. |
| Landscape |
| Usually not used in the landscapes of North America, however is more suited for a naturalized area due its size. Its sweet fragrance makes this plant excellent for planting near pathways or entrances. A very popular plant in tropical botanical gardens. |
| Cultivation |
| Prefers acidic to mildly acidic well-drained soils with full sun. Thrives in environments rich in volcanic ash. |
| Shape |
| Branches are slightly erect with droopy, leafy twigs and a single main trunk bent to some degree. |
| Growth |
| Fast |
| ID Characteristic |
| Dark green lance shaped leaves. Immature fruit seen in clusters of 8-10 resembling an olive in size and appearance. Mature flowers are greenish yellow with petals shaped like blades of grass that droop and twist. |
| Habitat |
| Indonesia, Malaysia in lowland humid tropics. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Bark is coarse, with a grey-brown tinge usually with intermittent protruding scars. |
| Leaf Description |
| Leaves are alternate, simple, slightly pubescent and dark green up to 20 cm with most having a pronounced mid-rib. |
| Flower Description |
| Long lance shaped petals, greenish yellow in colour with 5 petals that droop and twist slightly. |
| Fruit Description |
| Greenish-black 1-2 cm in length containing 5-12 fleshy olive-like seed borne in clusters. |
| Colour Description |
| Dark forest to olive green. Young twigs are usually light brown, while older growth tends to be a darker greyish-brown. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Kenong Rimba Park, Taman Negara, Jerantut, Pahang, Malaysia. |
| Propagation |
| Stem cuttings and seed. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| A key ingredient in perfumes and expensive soaps. |
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