Phenology Walk – Ylang Ylang

Ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata)

Family: Annonaceae
Origin: Southeast Asia; widely cultivated in tropical regions
Garden location: 17° 42′ 56.76″ N, 64° 49′ 43.01″ W (Front 9)
ArbNet Level II list: Yes
POWO Status: Tree
IUCN Red List threat level: Least Concern

What to watch for (Phenology)

Leaves

  • Leaf flush: Periodic year-round, strongest after rainfall
  • Leaf drop: Evergreen; gradual, continuous replacement
  • Notes: Long, drooping, glossy green leaves, giving the tree a soft, flowing canopy texture

Flowers

  • Buds: Develop singly or in small clusters along branches
  • First bloom: Often begins in late spring
  • Peak bloom: Wet season
  • End of bloom: Extended — flowering may occur in repeated waves through much of the year
  • Pollinators observed: Insects, possibly moths
  • Notes: Star-shaped flowers with narrow, curling petals that age from greenish-yellow to deep golden yellow, releasing an intense, sweet, exotic perfume — strongest in warm, humid air

Fruit / seed

  • Fruit set: After flowering
  • Ripening: Wet season into early dry season
  • Dispersal: Birds and wildlife
  • Notes: Small clustered green fruits; phenologically secondary to floral fragrance

Weather sensitivity

  • Rain-triggered? Flowering and leaf growth increase with rainfall
  • Drought response: Moderate tolerance once established
  • Other notes: Prefers warmth, humidity, sun to partial shade, and shelter from strong winds

Why this plant matters

Cananga odorata is a tree of fragrance, sensuality, and cultural memory. Phenologically, it expresses time through perfume and repeat bloom cycles, often marking seasons not by color but by scent drifting through the garden.

It belongs to your growing “fragrance calendar” guild — plants whose primary seasonal signal is aroma rather than appearance.

It teaches that some seasons are best measured by what we smell, not what we see.

Cultural, ecological, and historical significance

Cultural & economic importance

  • Source of ylang-ylang essential oil, one of the world’s most famous perfume ingredients
  • Used in luxury fragrance, aromatherapy, and traditional medicine
  • Symbol of romance, relaxation, and tropical elegance in many cultures

Ecological value

  • Provides nectar for insects and pollinators
  • Contributes to canopy texture and sensory diversity in gardens

Caribbean / St. Croix notes

  • Introduced ornamental grown in botanical gardens, estates, and residential landscapes
  • Fits beautifully alongside other fragrance-dominant trees such as Aloysia virgata, Cubanola domingensis, Pimenta racemosa, Plumeria, and Canella winterana
  • Excellent subject for scent-based phenology documentation — intensity, duration, timing, and environmental triggers

My observations

  • First observed in project: (date)
  • Notable moments:
    • (YYYY-MM-DD) — First major fragrance wave detectable at distance
    • (YYYY-MM-DD) — Peak flowering with strongest perfume
  • Questions / uncertainties:
    • Strength and frequency of bloom cycles in Virgin Islands climate
    • Variation in fragrance intensity with humidity and temperature

Photos

  • Whole tree / habit
  • Flower clusters (buds → fresh bloom → aging petals)
  • Close-ups showing twisted petal form
  • Leaves and branching
  • Fruit clusters
  • Seasonal comparison images tied to bloom waves and scent periods

Why this one strengthens your 100-plant set

  • Adds a globally significant fragrance tree
  • Expands your archive’s sensory phenology — scent as seasonal data
  • Reinforces your theme that phenology includes smell, memory, culture, and atmosphere
  • Pairs naturally with your growing Caribbean fragrance and perfume narrative

Medicinal Uses

Cananga odorata (Ylang-ylang) is used medicinally for stress, anxiety, hypertension, infections, and skin issues, with its essential oil used in aromatherapy for calming effects, while traditional remedies use flowers for asthma/malaria, leaves for diarrhea/boils, and bark for stomach ailments, though scientific backing varies. 

Aromatherapy & Essential Oil Uses

  • Stress & Anxiety: Calms nervous tension, promotes relaxation, and reduces anxiety.
  • Cardiovascular: Helps manage high blood pressure (hypertension) and rapid heart rate (tachycardia).
  • Mood: Can uplift mood and act as an antidepressant, enhancing feelings of euphoria.
  • Skin: Balances sebum, soothes irritation, and provides hydration (often diluted).
  • Aphrodisiac: Used to enhance libido and treat frigidity. 

Traditional Plant Part Uses

  • Flowers: Used for malaria, asthma (paste), boils, skin irritation, conjunctivitis, gout, and added to bath water for impotence.
  • Leaves: Applied topically for itching, boils, and infant diarrhea; used in treatments for dandruff.
  • Bark: Infused for stomach ailments (indigestion, colic), applied for scurf, and fluid used for toothaches/migraines.
  • Seeds: Applied externally for intermittent fevers. 

Scientific Evidence & Considerations

  • Studies support its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and insect-repellent properties.
  • Research also shows potential for neuropathic pain and anxiety relief, but high-quality clinical evidence is limited.
  • Caution: Contains allergens; use cautiously on skin and always dilute essential oil.
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