Cananga odorata Seeds | Ylang Ylang
LATIN NAME: Cananga odorata
COMMON NAME: Ylang Ylang
Plant Profile
Ylang Ylang is a fast-growing evergreen tree of the custard-apple family, reaching ten to twenty metres in cultivation with a slender trunk and drooping, wavy-edged, glossy leaves. The flowers hang in clusters of six or more, with long, twisted, greenish-yellow petals that turn deeper yellow as they age, and their scent is so strong that a single tree can be detected from a distance.
It comes from the rainforests of Southeast Asia and the Philippines, and is cultivated in Madagascar, the Comoros, Indonesia and Haiti for the perfume trade. In the Philippines the name comes from ilang-ilang, meaning flower of flowers.
Science & Biotechnology
The scent is a complex blend of esters, alcohols and sesquiterpenes, dominated by linalool, geranyl acetate, benzyl benzoate and methyl benzoate, and its composition changes as the flower ages and as the distillation proceeds. Ylang-ylang oil is fractionated during distillation into extra, first, second and third grades, each with a different use in perfumery.
The flowers are pollinated by nocturnal moths and beetles, and their scent peaks at night, which is why the oil is distilled from flowers picked at dawn, when the perfume is still at its strongest. Aromatherapy research has looked at the oil’s effect on blood pressure and mood, with small trials reporting a relaxing effect. Distillation of a single batch can run for many hours, and the fractions collected at the start are the most valuable, which is why extra-grade oil commands the highest price.
Uses & Benefits
Ylang-ylang oil is a cornerstone of perfumery, a heavy floral base note used in classics from Chanel No. 5 to modern oriental fragrances, and in aromatherapy as a relaxing oil. The fresh flowers are also laid among clothes and used in hair oil in the Philippines and Indonesia.
In the tropics the tree is grown as an ornamental and a shade tree, and its quick growth and tolerance of poor soil make it useful in agroforestry. It needs space: the crown is wide and the roots are shallow, and the tree does not transplant well once established. The tree is also grown for its shade in mixed plantings, though its shallow roots compete with neighbouring crops.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed in a loose, free-draining tropical mix at 25 to 30 °C, covering it lightly. Germination is quick, often within two to four weeks, and the seedlings grow fast; seed that has dried out will not germinate, so sow it soon after harvest.
Plant out in a frost-free, humid position with deep soil and full sun. Water generously for the first two years and mulch to keep the roots cool. The tree flowers from about three or four years old, and pruned branches can be harvested for flowers without harm; in cool climates it needs a large conservatory. Seedlings need shade for their first months and a humid atmosphere; mist them regularly if the air is dry.
Our Take
A tropical tree grown for the most valuable floral oil in perfumery. It is fast, greedy for water, and worth a place only where the winter is warm.
Related Reading
Continue exploring with these related plants: