This fragrant tropical tree is the Ylang Ylang, Cananga odorata.

Its flowers are easy to recognize by their long, narrow, twisting petals. They begin greenish and become yellow as they mature, while releasing an intense sweet fragrance that is strongest in the evening and at night.

The scent attracts moths and other nocturnal pollinators. It is also the source of ylang-ylang essential oil, widely used in perfumes, soaps, and aromatherapy products.

The leaves are large, glossy, and slightly wavy along the edges. The branches often droop, giving the tree a soft, graceful appearance.

After flowering, clusters of small green fruits develop. These gradually darken to purple or black and are eaten by birds, which help disperse the seeds.

Ylang Ylang is native to tropical Southeast Asia but is now cultivated throughout warm regions of the world.

Its name is often translated as “flower of flowers,” and when the tree is in bloom, the fragrance can fill a large area of the Garden before the flowers themselves are even noticed.