YLANG-YLANG

also spelled Ilang-ilang, also called Perfume Tree (Cananga odorata), South Asian tree of the custard apple family (Annonaceae), in the order Magnoliales. A penetrating but evanescent perfume is distilled from its flowers. Ylang-ylang in Tagalog (a Philippine language) means flower of flowers. The slim, smooth-barked evergreen reaches about 25 m (80 feet) and is covered year-round with drooping, long-stalked, rich-scented flowers that have six narrow, greenish yellow petals 5 cm (2 inches) long. The alternate, pointed oval leaves have wavy margins and are 13 to 20 cm long. The clustered, oval black fruits hang from long stalks. Leis are made from the blooms, and the perfume is steam-distilled from the flowers. Ylang-ylang vine (Artabotrys odoratissimus), also in the family Annonaceae, produces masses of small, greenish white flowers in spring and clustered, long-stalked, yellow, plumlike, two-seeded fruits in fall. It is not a source of commercial perfume. A 2- to 3.5-metre woody climber, it supports itself by hooks formed at the middle of the flower (and later fruit) stalks. Evergreen glossy leaves and fragrant flowers and fruits make it a valuable trellis or patio vine in areas of warm, moist climate.