Ylang-Ylang, the Flower Atop
One of the few selected authentic Philippine flowers found in the country includes a very special and peculiar looking flower which is called the Ylang-Ylang. Ylang-Ylang, or scientifically called as Cananga odorata, is a small but beautiful flower of the cananga tree. Its name “ylang-ylang” originates from the Tagalog word for “rare,” as this flower possesses a fragrant scent unlike any other.
It is a fast-growing tree that exceeds 5 meters per year and attains an average height of 12 meters. 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 Philippine flowers are greenish yellow (rarely pink), curly like a starfish, and yields a highly fragrant essential oil. In fact its essential oils are quite useful in aromatherapy, and are believed to relieve high blood pressure and normalize sebum secretion for skin problems.
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.
The name ylang-ylang is derived from 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 components of ylang-ylang oil are benzyl acetate, linalool and p-cresyl methyl ether and methyl benzoate, responsible for its characteristic odor.
Ylang-Ylang is one of the unique Philippine flowers found in the Philippines. Though other countries have the same, Philippines still considers the flower as their natural native flower.
About the Author
Sheena is an -ecommerce specialist and writes on her free time about various topics that catch people's interest.
Tell others about
this page:
Comments? Questions? Email Here