Envoy at 10:55, 5 September 2007

2007-09-05T10:55:08Z

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{{Taxobox
| color =lightgreen
| name = Ylang-ylang
| image = Ylang_Cananga_odorata.JPG
| image_width = 250px
| regnum = [[Plantae]]
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Magnoliales]]
| familia = [[Annonaceae]]
| genus = '''''Cananga'''''
| species = '''''C. odorata'''''
| binomial = ''Cananga odorata''
| binomial_authority = ([[Jean-Baptiste Lamarck|Lam.]]) [[Joseph Dalton Hooker|Hook.f.]] & [[Carl Gustaf Thomson|Thomson]]
}}

'''Ylang-ylang''' ({{IPA2|ˈilɔŋ ilɔŋ}}) (ee-lahng ee-lahng) ''Cananga odorata'', is a small, beautiful flower of the [[cananga]] tree. It is a fast-growing tree that exceeds 5 meters per year and attains an average height of 12 [[meter]]s. It grows in full or partial sun, and prefers the acidic soils of its native rainforest habitat. The leaves are long, smooth and glossy. The flower is greenish yellow (rarely pink), curly like a [[starfish]], and yields a highly fragrant [[essential oil]]. A related species is ''Cananga fruticosa'', which is a dwarf ylang-ylang that grows as small tree or compact shrub with highly scented flowers. Ylang-ylang has been cultivated in temperate climates under conservatory conditions.
Its fruit are an important food item for birds, such as the [[Collared Imperial-pigeon]], [[Purple-tailed Imperial-pigeon]], [[Zoe's Imperial-pigeon]], [[Superb Fruit-dove]], [[Pink-spotted Fruit-dove]], [[Coroneted Fruit-dove]], [[Orange-bellied Fruit-dove]], and [[Wompoo Fruit-dove]] (Frith ''et al.'' 1976).

The name ''ylang-ylang'' is derived from [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]], either from the word ''ilang'', meaning "wilderness", alluding to its natural habitat, or the word ''ilang-ilan'', meaning "rare", suggestive of its exceptionally delicate scent. The plant is native to the [[Philippines]] and [[Indonesia]] and is commonly grown in [[Polynesia]], [[Melanesia]] and [[Micronesia]].

The [[fragrance]] of ylang-ylang is rich and deep with notes of [[rubber]] and [[custard]], and bright with hints of [[jasmine]] and [[neroli]]. The [[essential oil]] of the flower is obtained through steam distillation of the flowers and separated into different grades (extra; 1; 2; 3) according to when the distillates are obtained. The main aromatic component of ylang-ylang is [[methyl anthranilate]].<ref> Manner, Harley and Craig Elevitch,''Traditional Tree Initiative: Species Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry'' (2006), Permanent Agricultural Resources, Honolulu, Hi. </ref>
[[Image:Cananga_odorata_Blanco1.221.png|130px|thumb|left]]

The [[essential oil]] of ylang-ylang is used in [[aromatherapy]]. It is believed to relieve [[high blood pressure]], normalize [[sebum]] secretion for skin problems, and is considered to be an [[aphrodisiac]].<ref>[http://home.arcor.de/bethge/ylangeng.htm The Perfume Tree Ylang-Ylang]</ref> According to [[Margaret Mead]], it was used as such by South Pacific natives such as the [[Solomon Islands|Solomons]] where she did much of her research. The oil from ylang-ylang is widely used in [[perfume]]ry for oriental or floral themed perfumes. Ylang-ylang blends well with most floral, fruit and wood smells. In [[Indonesia]], ylang-ylang flowers are spread on the bed of [[marriage|newlywed]] couples. In the [[Philippines]], its flowers, together with the flowers of the [[sampaguita]], are strung into a necklace and worn by women and used to adorn religious images.

Ylang-ylang's essential oil makes up 29% of the [[Comoros]]' annual export (1998).
==Notes==
<references/>
==References==

*'''Elevitch''', Craig (editor) (2006): ''Traditional Trees of Pacific Islands: Their Culture, Environment and Use''. Permanent Agricultural Resources Publishers, Honolulu. <small>ISBN 0970254458</small>
*'''Frith''', H.J.; Rome, F.H.J.C. & Wolfe, T.O. (1976): Food of fruit-pigeons in New Guinea. ''[[Emu (journal)|Emu]]'' '''76'''(2): 49-58. [http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/96/paper/MU9760049.htm HTML abstract]
*'''Manner''', Harley & '''Elevitch''', Craig (2006): ''Traditional Tree Initiative: Species Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry''. Permanent Agricultural Resources Publishers, Honolulu.

[[Category:Flowers]]
[[Category:Trees]]
[[Category:Magnoliales]]
[[Category:Essential oils]]
[[Category:Flora of Indonesia]]

Ylang-ylang - Revision history

Envoy at 10:55, 5 September 2007