Agroforestree Database

Local names:
 Burmese (sagasein,kadatngan,kadatnyan), English (perfume tree,ylang-ylang), Filipino (ilang-ilang,alang-ilang), Hindi (chettu sampangi,karumugai), Khmer (sreng,chhke), Malay (kenanga utan), Thai (kradanga-ton,kradangnga-thai), Trade name (perfume tree,sa

Cananga odorata is a small to large forest tree to 40 m tall and about 45 cm in diameter with a straight stem, an irregularly-shaped crown and a sometimes drooping, brittle branch formation. When grown for perfume extraction, it is normally not more than 3 m tall. The trunk is generally cylindrical in shape up to the first branch and without buttresses. The bark is smooth, pale grey to silvery.

Leaves simple, alternate, 13-29 cm by 4-10 cm, arranged in two ranks, simple and without stipules, puberulent below, medium green; the stalk is slender, 1-2 cm long, narrowly grooved above and smooth; the leaf blade is ovate-oblong and the base is often of unequal sides, sometimes rounded or heart-shaped, the margins are more or less wavy, the midrib and lateral veins are whitish hairy on both sides.

Inflorenscence a raceme, 1-4 cm long, with 2-6 flowers on short, leafless, axillary shoots. Flowers bisexual, axillary, 5-7.5 cm long, dull green and turning yellowish with age; pedicel 2-5 cm long; stamens numerous, 2-3 mm long; ovaries several to many, free, style oblong and slender.

Fruit pendulous, consisting of many (7-16) separate, globose-obovoid monocarps, about 25 mm by 15 mm on stalk 10-20 mm long; monocarp dark green becoming blackish when ripe, 2-12-seeded with seeds embedded in yellowish oily pulp arranged in 2 rows.

Seeds flattened, ellipsoid, 9mm by 6 mm by 2.5 mm, pale brown, surface pitted, hard, with a rudimentary aril.

Ecology

Cananga odorata grows well in more humid lowland tropics or moist valleys, sometimes with other evergreen and teak trees. It prefers well light places, fertile sandy loam and volcanic soils. In Java it grows gregariously in moist evergreen forest and in teak forest.

Native range
Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Vietnam

Tree management

Direct sowing is common. Seeds are placed 5 cm deep in well-cultivated and fertilized planting pits of at least 50 cm depth. Plant spacing is at least 6 m by 6 m. Young plantations are often intercropped with food crops. Ring weeding and slashing of the inter-rows are important for optimal growth. For ylang-ylang production, trees are usually topped at about 3 m after 2-3 years. Topping promotes the growth of low, drooping branches, which are also tied down to pegs to keep the flowers within easy reach. A well managed plantation may remain productive for 50 years

Seed storage behaviour is  orthodox

Cananga odorata grows well in more humid lowland tropics or moist valleys, sometimes with other evergreen and teak trees. It prefers well light places, fertile sandy loam and volcanic soils. In Java it grows gregariously in moist evergreen forest and in teak forest.

Normally propagated by seeds or wilding and rarely by cuttings. Fresh seed germinates erratically but higher after 6-12 month storage. Hot water treatment of seed is used successfully. Plants may be raised in nursery beds, but should be handled with great care during transplanting to avoid damage to the long taproot. Vegetative propagation by stem cutting and budding has been tried with varying success

 The oil is sometimes used in food and beverages.

The wood is occasionally used for fuelwood

Fibre: In Indonesia, they make ropes out of beaten bark.

Timber: The timber is used for local construction, building canoes and matches.

Shade or shelter: Ylang-ylang is mainly planted as a roadside shade tree.

Medicine: The essential oil from the flowers contains caryophyllene, used to treat hepatitis and has a wide range of medicinal applications. The seeds may be used to treat fever. In Indonesia, the flowers are used against malaria and leaves are rubbed on skin to treat itchiness. Dried flowers and bark are also used medicinally. The oil has a euphoric and sedative effect on the nervous system; it can help with anxiety, tension, shock, fear and panic. Its aphrodisiac qualities may be of use in impotence and frigidity. The oil could have a soothing effect on the skin and its stimulating effect on the scalp could promote more luxurious hair growth

Ornamental: It is widely planted in home gardens and roadsides as an ornamental.

Intercropping: It is usually cultivated in backyards and gardens together with other crops.

Essential oil: Cananga odorata flowers (also leaves and fruits) yield an important essential oil (contain 1-2% volatile oil) widely used in perfume manufacture. Subsequent extracts are used in soap, cosmetics and other hygienic by-products.

Other services: In Indonesia, Ylang ylang flower petals are strewn upon the bed on wedding nights. During town festivities, it is popularly given as leis to guests and offered in religious ceremonies