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Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson
| Family Name: | Annonaceae |
| Synonyms: | Cananga mitrastigma (F.Muell.) Domin, Cananga odorata (Blume) Koord. & Valeton var. velutina, Cananga scortechinii King, Uvaria odorata Lam. |
| Common Name: | Kenanga, Nerian, Ilang Ilang, Ylang Ylang, Kenanga Hutan, Perfume Tree, Cananga, Kenanga Utan, Chenanga, Nyai, 香水树, 依兰, 依兰依兰 |
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Medium (16m-30m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Weeping / Pendulous, Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 10 m to 20 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Malesia to Australia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Cryptogenic |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Medium-sized tree, able to grow up to 10 - 20 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Crown | Long droopy branchlets and stems (4 - 6 m) gives the tree an irregular, straggly crown. |
| Foliage | Dark green leaves, alternately arranged, measuring about 10 - 20 cm long and 4 - 8 cm wide. |
| Stems | Pendulous, pubescent when young, striated with age. |
| Flowers | Flowers turning from green to yellowish-brown upon maturity, sweet-scented, petals hairy and curled up. |
| Fruit | Fruit turning from dark green to black when ripen, measuring about 2 cm long. |
| Etymology | Genus Cananga is derived from a Tagalog name "alang ilang" and also refers to the perfume produced from the fragrant flowers. Species odorata means fragrant or sweet-scented. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: In Java and Vietnam, the dried flowers are used to treat malaria. The paste obtained from pounding the fresh flowers can be used to treat asthma. The bark of the plant is said to be effective in treating stomach problems. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1486 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2779 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
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