Species Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry April 2006

ver. 2.1
www.traditionaltree.org

Cananga odorata (ylang-ylang)

Annonaceae (custard-apple family)
canang odorant (French); chiráng, irang (Palau); derangerang, derangirang (Nauru); ilahnglahng, ilanlang
(Kosrae); ilang-ilang, alang-ilang (Guam, CNMI); ilangilang, lengileng, alangilang, pur-n-wai, pwurenwai, seir en
wai (Pohnpei); ilanilan (Marshall Islands); lanalana (Hawai‘i); makosoi, mokohoi, makasui, mokosoi (Fiji); mohokoi
(Ton- ga); moso‘oi (Samoa); moto‘i (Society Islands); moto‘oi, mata‘oi, mato‘oi (Cook Islands, Niue,Tahiti); motoi
(Marquesas– Nukuhiva, Niue); mutui (Marquesas–Fatuhiva); pwalang (Puluwat Atoll); pwanang, pwuur, pwalang
(Chuuk); sa‘o (Solomon Islands: Kwara‘ae); ylang ylang, perfume tree, cananga (English)
Harley I. Manner and Craig R. Elevitch

IN BRIEF
Distribution Common throughout Polyne-

PHOTO: H.
MANNER
sia, Micronesia, and Melanesia; also present
throughout its native Indo-Malayan region,
and now distributed pantropically.
Size Typically reaches 10–20 m (33–66 ft),
with long drooping branches or twigs.
Habitat Lowland, humid tropics, 0–800 m
(0–2600 ft) with rainfall of 700–5000 mm
(30–200 in).
Vegetation Associated with many cultivated
tropical plants.
Soils Prefers light and medium texture soils;
tolerates shallow and temporarily waterlogged
soils.
Growth rate Fast growing; can exceed 5
m/yr (16 ft/yr).
Main agroforestry uses Homegardens.
Main products Flowers for adornment or oil
distillation, timber.
Yields A cultivated tree in full production
can yield 20–100 kg (44–220 lb) of flowers
per year.
Intercropping Tolerates shade and grows
well together with other crops.
Invasive potential Slight; has naturalized in
areas where introduced in the Pacific islands,
although it is rarely considered a pest.
Ylang-ylang tree about
9 m (30 ft) in height. Hos-
pital Road, Guam.
INTRODUCTION BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
Of Southeast Asian origin, Cananga odorata, commonly
known as ylang-ylang, is a medium-size tree that has been Preferred scientific name
introduced into many islands in the Pacific for its fragrant Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook. F. & Thoms.
flowers. This species is often found growing spontaneously
in secondary forests and agroforests, where it regenerates Family
easily. It is also a common garden ornamental. In Mada-
Annonaceae (custard-apple family)
gascar and the Comoro Islands, ylang-ylang is valued as
the source for ylang-ylang oil, which figures prominently
in the perfume industry and aromatherapy.
Non-preferred scientific names
Canangium fruticosum Craib
Canangium odoratum (Lam.) Baill. ex King
DISTRIBUTION Canangium scortechinii King
Uvaria odorata Lam.
Native range
Common names
Ylang-ylang is native to Indo-Malaysia and has been
widely introduced by Polynesians, Micronesians, and early Oceania
European explorers into many islands in the Pacific, where canang odorant (French)
in some places it has become naturalized (e.g., Samoa).
chiráng, irang (Palau)
derangerang, derangirang (Nauru)
Current distribution ilahnglahng, ilanlang (Kosrae)
There is a degree of uncertainty concerning the antiquity ilang-ilang, alang-ilang (Guam, CNMI)
of ylang-ylang in Polynesia. Whistler (1991) noted that the ilangilang, lengileng, alangilang, pur-n-wai, pwurenwai,
species was probably present in Samoa in pre-European seir en wai (Pohnpei)
times, but because the Cook expeditions did not visit Sa- ilanilan (Marshall Islands)
moa, and the species was not collected in western Poly- lanalana (Hawai‘i)
nesia until 1839, its status is not clear. Thaman et al. (1994) makosoi, mokohoi, makasui, mokosoi (Fiji)
consider the species to be an aboriginal introduction into mohokoi (Tonga)
Polynesia. Thaman (1993) also suggested that the species is moso’oi (Samoa)
possibly native to the Solomon Islands and the Caroline Is- moto’i (French Polynesia)
lands. However, Fosberg et al. (1979) stated that the species moto’oi, mata’oi, mato’oi (Cook Islands, Niue, Tahiti)
is a European introduction into various places in motoi (Marquesas–Nukuhiva, Niue)
Microne- sia. Moreover, the species is not listed for Yap mutui (Marquesas–Fatuhiva)
State, but it is found on the other high islands of pwalang (Puluwat Atoll)
Micronesia (Fosberg et al. 1979, Merlin et al. 1996). pwanang, pwuur, pwalang (Chuuk)
According to Merlin et al. (1992), this species is a recent sa‘o (Solomon Islands: Kwara‘ae)
introduction to Pohnpei, oc- curring with early European ylang ylang, perfume tree, cananga, cadmia (English)
contact, and is also believed to be a recent (European)
introduction to Nauru and the Mariana islands. It was Other regions
introduced into Guam from the Philippines (Stone 1970). apurvachampaka, chettu sampangi, karumugai (India)
The species is also classified as a recent introduction in ilang-ilang, alang-ilang (Philippines)
New Caledonia (MacKee 1985). It has also been ilang-ilang, kenanga wood, perfume tree, cananga oil,
introduced to tropical America (e.g., Costa Rica). ylang-ylang (trade names)
In the Pacific, ylang-ylang is now found in the Mariana kadatngan, kadatnyan (Myanmar)
Islands (Saipan, Rota, Guam), Nauru, Caroline Islands kernanga (Indonesia)
(Palau, Koror, Faraulep, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Puluwat Atoll), kenanga, chenanga, ylang-ylang (Malaysia)
Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, New Caledonia (rare), Hawai‘i (rare),
Form
Cook Islands, Marquesas Islands, and many other small
islands. Ylang-ylang is of medium size 10–40 m (33–130 ft) in
height, although rarely over 30 m (100 ft), and typically
10–20 m (33–66 ft). In cultivation, the tree is usually kept

2 Cananga odorata (ylang-

short by pruning to about 3 m (10 ft). Branches are pendu-
lous or slightly erect with drooping, leafy twigs. The tree is
usually quite straggly, often with long, leafy twigs dangling
3–6 m (10–20 ft). There is a single main trunk that is usu-
ally bent to some degree. The bark is smooth and grayish
white to silvery.

Flowers
It flowers throughout the year in axillary, umbellate hang-
ing clusters of 4–12 flowers. The flower has three sepals and
six petals up to 8 cm (2.4 in) long. The petals are twisted
when young, then limp and drooping when mature. Flow-
ers are very fragrant, greenish yellow at first, then turn-
ing a deep yellow/yellow brown when mature. Merlin et al.
(1993) stated that on Kosrae this plant flowers at the same
time as other fruit or nut trees, e.g., breadfruit, pandanus, Arrangement of leaves. PHOTO: H. MANNER
mango, and Tahitian chestnut (Inocarpus fagifer). In Mada-
gascar, the trees flower year-round, but mainly during the
rainy season from November to March.

Leaves
Leaves are dark green, up to 20 cm (8 in) in length, alter-
nate, simple, entire, elliptic-oblong, slightly pubescent, and
with a prominent midrib and drip tip. As with most mem-
bers of this family, the leaves are arranged mainly along a
plane.

Fruit
Greenish black in color, 1.5–2.5 cm (0.6–1.0 in) in length,
containing 6–12 stalked fruitlets, fleshy, olive-like, and
borne in axillary clusters. There are 6–12, small, pale brown, Flowers at various stages of maturity. PHOTO: C. ELEvITCH
flattened ovoid seeds in each fruit.

Similar species
Also in the custard-apple family and with the common
name ylang-ylang, Artabotrys hexapetalus is a climbing
woody shrub from India. The flowers are green, with a fra-
grance similar to those of Cananga odorata. However, the
flowers of Artabotrys are not showy and much smaller, hav-
ing six 2.5 cm (1 in) long petals that do not twist. Also,
Artabotrys is a vine, whereas Cananga is a tree.

GENETICS
Variability of species
Immature fruits. PHOTO: C. ELEvITCH
Two groups are distinguished in cultivation. The first group
Cananga (forma macrophylla Steenis) has branches perpen-
source of the distillate traded as cananga oil; it is cultivated
dicular to the stem (rather than drooping) and large leaves
in Java, Fiji, and Samoa. The second group is Ylang-ylang
20 x 10 cm (8 x 4 in). The flowers of this group are the
(forma genuina Steenis) and has drooping branches and

Species Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry (www.traditionaltree.org)

smaller leaves than the first group. This form is the source form rainfall patterns.
of the distillate traded as ylang-ylang oil and is cultivated
throughout the tropics (Oyen and Dung 1999). Dry season duration (consecutive months with <40
mm [1.6 in] rainfall)
Known varieties 2 months
C. odorata var. fruticosa (Craib) J. Sincl. is a dwarfed, cul-
tivated form that reaches 2 m (6.6 ft) in height (Backer Mean annual temperature
and Brink Jr. 1963). It often has more numerous and very 18–28°C (64–82°F)
curly flower petals than usual. This variety is said to never
set fruit. Mean maximum temperature of hottest month
28–35°C (82–88°F)

ASSOCIATED PLANT SPECIES Mean minimum temperature of coldest month

10–18°C (50–64°F)
Associated native species
In Indonesia, this species is a component of mixed and
Minimum temperature tolerated
teak forests. It is also cultivated for its fragrant flowers in 5°C (41°F) (estimate)
plantations and in backyard gardens as an ornamental.
Soils
Species commonly associated in modern times or Ylang-ylang can be found growing in a wide range of soils,
as recent introduction from sands to clay loams and clays. It thrives in rich vol-
It is a commonly planted and spontaneous tree in second- canic or fertile sandy soils and tolerates waterlogging for
ary forests and agroforests in Micronesia and Polynesia. In short periods.
Pohnpei, this species was cultivated for its essential oil as a
Soil texture
plantation or orchard crop at the Ponape Agriculture and
Trade School in the mid-1980s. On Guam, ylang-ylang It can grow in light, medium and heavy texture soils (sands,
can be found growing in secondary forests containing sandy loams, loams, and sandy clay loams, clays, clay loams,
oth- er introduced species (i.e., Leucaena leucocephala, sandy clays).
Spathodea campanulata, Areca catechu, etc.), near roadways. Soil drainage
It requires free drainage.
ENVIRONMENTAL PREFERENCES Soil acidity
AND TOLERANCES The tree tolerates wide variation in acidity (pH 4.5–8.0).
Ylang-ylang prefers the humid lowland tropics, although it
can be cultivated in the uplands near the equator. Special soil tolerances
Ylang-ylang an grow in shallow and infertile soils. Saline
Climate and alkaline soils should be avoided.
The tree grows well in the equatorial to subtropical mari-
time climates of the Indian and Pacific oceans. It is a com- Tolerances
ponent of the tropical moist to semi-dry forest.
Drought
Elevation range Ylang-ylang can tolerate a short period of drought (less
1–800 m (0–2600 ft); up to 1200 m (3900 ft) near the equa- than 2 months).
tor
Full sun
Mean annual rainfall The tree grows best in full sunlight.
700–5000 mm (30–200 in)
Shade
Rainfall pattern This species is often a component of the understory in tra-
Grows in climates with summer, winter, bimodal, and uni- ditional agroforestry systems, so moderate shading is toler-
ated.

4 Cananga odorata (ylang-

Waterlogging
Ylang-ylang tolerates periods of waterlogging, but perma-
nent marshy conditions are not suitable.

Wind
The limbs are brittle and the tree does not handle strong
wind well. However, the tree regrows vigorously even
after heavy wind damage.

Abilities
Regenerate rapidly
Ylang-ylang is a pioneer species and can colonize open ar-
eas rapidly.

Coppice
The tree is often maintained by heavy pruning to a suitable
height for picking flowers (usually 3 m [10 ft]) and readily
regrows after cutting. Since even a large tree will coppice
after being cut down, trees are often felled for their flow-
ers (Merlin et al. 1992). This species will also coppice after
severe limb/trunk breakage due to high winds.

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Ylang-ylang is classified as a fast grower, more than 2 m
(6.6 ft) per year in its early years. It is a spontaneous
species in secondary forest fallows.
Grown among other trees, ylang-ylang grows tall, loses
Flowering and fruiting its lower branches, and casts a dappled shade. PHOTO: C.
At sea level, cultivated seedlings can begin flowering in 1.5– ELEvITCH
2 years at a height of 2 m (6.6 ft). Wild trees do not begin
flowering until they reach 9–12 m (30–40 ft) in height. At Reaction to competition
maturity, the tree can flower and fruit continuously. When
When ylang-ylang is grown in a competitive situation
younger or where the rainfall is seasonal, the period of
with other species, it grows tall quickly and sheds its lower
flowering and fruiting seems to be closely associated with
branches.
the rainy months.

Yields PROPAGATION
Topped trees of cv. group Ylang-ylang rarely produce more Ylang-ylang is commonly propagated by seed. It can also
than 20 kg (44 lb) of flowers per year. The flowers yield be propagated by cuttings, with varying degrees of success.
about 1–2% distilled volatile oil. In Madagascar, mainly at Direct-seeding in the field is also commonly practiced,
Nosy Bé, 500 ha (1235 ac) produced 800,000 kg (1,760,000 which avoids damage to ylang-ylang’s long taproot. An-
lb) of flowers which yielded 20,000 kg (44,000 lb) of es- other method is to collect small seedlings (10–20 cm, 4–8
sential oil per year. In the Comoro Islands, 1 ha (2.5 ac) in) from under trees in the wild, and grow them out in
produced 900–1500 kg (1980–3300 lb) flowers equivalent bags for 2–3 months prior to outplanting.
to 18–30 kg (40–66 lb) oil distillate (MweziNet 2000).
Propagation from seed
Rooting habit
The tree has a long taproot, and therefore favors deep soils. Seed collection
As flowering often occurs year-round, ripe fruits can usu-
ally be found at any time. Fruits turn from dark green to

Species Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry (www.traditionaltree.org)

black when ripe.
Pests and diseases
Seed processing Little is known about pests and diseases of ylang-ylang
Inside each fruit 2–12 seeds are embedded in an oily flesh. and none are currently reported from the Pacific islands.
Remove the seeds from the flesh in a sieve under Reported problems include stem borers, flower-eating
running water. The cleaned seeds should be air-dried in beetles, and insects that cause leaves to wilt (Oyen and
the shade. Dung 1999).

Seed storage Other disadvantages

The seed is orthodox, meaning it remains viable when For commercial production, the tree requires quite a lot of
dried. Although no data is available, a standard method of hand labor for picking, and yields of distilled oil are low.
storing the dried seeds with desiccant in an airtight In homegardens, the labor to collect flowers for
container is likely to work well. decoration is rarely an issue. However, the tree does
require periodic pruning in order to assure easy access to
Germination the flowers.
The germination of fresh seeds is said to be erratic. Seeds
that are 6–12 months old have a higher germination rate.
Hot water treatment has been used successfully to stimu- AGROFORESTRY/ENVIRONMENTAL
late germination (Oyen and Dung 1999). PRACTICES
Media Mulch/organic matter
A standard light, well drained potting medium is recom- It is a minor source of mulch (Thaman et al. 2000).
mended.
Homegardens
Guidelines for outplanting
Ylang-ylang is particularly appropriate for planting in
When the trees have reached an appropriate size for field homegardens. The tree is a rare to common ornamental in
planting, 20–30 cm (8–12 in) in height, they can be planted homegardens throughout many islands in the Pacific.
out in the field; however, care should be taken not to dam-
age the long taproot. Improved fallows
The tree is a pioneer species and has potential for use in
Direct-seeding improved fallows.
Seeds are commonly direct-seeded. An area is prepared for
each planting spot, cleared of weeds, and cultivated to a Native animal/bird food
depth of 50 cm (20 in) if the soil is compacted. Seeds are The fruit is a preferred food of pigeons in Guam, Tonga
planted at a depth of 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 in). Sowing several and Samoa (Stone 1970, Thaman and Whistler 1996). The
seeds at each site will allow for selecting the most vigorous fruit is also eaten by bats, monkeys, and squirrels.
seedlings and will help avoid the work of reseeding.
Host plant trellising
It is used as an understory trellis tree for yam (Dioscorea
DISADVANTAGES spp.) in Pohnpeian agroforests, where it is sometimes ring-
barked. Ring-barking causes the upper part of the tree to
Potential for invasiveness die and loose its leaves so that the tree functions as a trellis
Ylang-ylang has become naturalized in many of the Pa- without blocking sunlight.
cific islands where it has been introduced (e.g., Samoa,
Ornamental
Pohnpei). The seeds are eaten by birds, bats, monkeys, and
squirrels, and are readily dispersed. While the species re- The tree is ornamental, and its very pleasant fragrance
generates spontaneously in cultivated areas and agroforests, makes it appropriate in landscaping. Regular top pruning
it is rarely thought to be a pest and is not considered an may be necessary to keep the tree from growing too tall
invasive species by Pacific Ecosystems at Risk (PIER 2003, in an urban setting. The species is used as a street tree in
PIER 2004). Malaysia.

6 Cananga odorata (ylang-

 Timber
The timber is pinkish, yellowish to light gray, non-durable,
and vulnerable to termite attack. The wood is coarse tex-
tured and straight grained. In Tonga and Samoa it is used
for general construction and canoe making. The timber is
used for furniture in Cook Islands (Thaman et al. 2000).
The wood is also used for lathe turnings, boxes and crates,
clogs/wooden shoes, and fishnet floats (Chudnoff 1984).

Fuelwood
The wood is occasionally used for fuelwood.

Craft wood/tools
It is a minor wood for tool handles (Thaman et al. 2000).

Canoe/boat/raft making
The wood is employed in canoe making in Samoa and
Tonga (Thaman and Whistler 1996).

Rope/cordage/string
The bark has very minor use for cordage (Thaman et al.
2000). In Sulawesi, the bark is beaten to make coarse rope.

Body ornamentation/garlands
The tree is a very important source of flowers in
Ylang-ylang growing in a mixed Samoan homegarden Micronesia and Polynesia. The very heavily scented flowers
among bananas, coconuts, and other fruit trees. PHOTO: C. are used for garlands, headdresses and other personal
ELEvITCH adornment.

Cosmetic/soap/perfume
USES AND PRODUCTS
The primary commercial product is the distilled oil for
In the Pacific, this species has multiple uses. The wood is the perfume industry, much of which is shipped to France.
often used for canoe parts, small canoes (Raulerson and Ylang-ylang oil is said to be the basis for Chanel #5 and
Rinehart 1991), furniture, fuelwood, and cordage. More perfumes by Guerlain. Ylang-ylang is often used as a scent
im- portantly, the fragrant flowers are used to scent coconut for coconut oil in the Pacific islands. The special name
oil and in making lei and mwarmwars (headdresses). of potea is reserved for this scented oil in Tonga. When
used in moderation, the oil is non-toxic and a non-irri-
Medicinal
tant. However, the oil is an allergen and has been removed
The bark is used in Tonga and Samoa to treat stomach from some cosmetics. During the mid-1900s, ylang-ylang
ailments and sometimes as a laxative. In Java, the dried oil was used in a popular hair pomade manufactured in
flowers are used against malaria, and the fresh flowers are Hawai‘i. Cananga oil mixed with coconut oil is called Ma-
pounded into a paste to treat asthma. A distillate of the cassar oil and used for hair dressing in Southeast Asia.
flowers is said to have medicinal value by herbalists and
aromatherapists. Aromatherapists claim that oil is useful Ceremonial/religious importance
for depression, distressed breathing, high blood pressure, The tree has minor ceremonial importance (Thaman et al.
anxiety, as an aphrodisiac, etc. 2000). While the plant may be a recent introduction to
Tonga, ylang-ylang (mohokoi) is categorized there as a
Flavoring/spice
culturally important or sacred plant (akau kakala), along
The distilled oils are sometimes used to flavor beverages with other sacred or culturally important indigenous plants
and foods. (Thaman et al. 1993).

Species Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry (www.traditionaltree.org) r

COMMERCIAL
CULTIVATION
The major commercial product is ylang-ylang
oil, which has been produced in the Philippines
since the early 1900s. The Comoro Islands and
Madagascar are major producers of this oil. In
the Pacific islands, the tree is mainly grown for
flowers to be used in garlands and other per-
sonal adornment. Leis from ylang-ylang are
commonly sold in Samoa in the marketplace
and by children outside dances and nightclubs.

Spacing
Typical spacing in a commercial ylang-ylang
plantation is 6 x 6 m (20 x 20 ft). Closer spacing
may result in overcrowding and reduced pro-
ductivity on lower limbs due to shading.

Management objectives and design

con- siderations Ylang-ylang plantation at the Ponape Agriculture and Trade School,
To allow for ease of harvesting the flowers, the Pohnpei, where the tree was being grown for its essential oil. FSM,
tree is topped at 3 m (10 ft) after 2–3 years of August 1989. PHOTO: H. MANNER
growth. This allows for plenty of light to reach
the branches that droop naturally or are tied
INTERPLANTING/FARM
down to pegs in the ground. After first opening, the flow- APPLICATIONS
ers have no fragrance. Most fragrance develops 15–20 days
During establishment of ylang-ylang plantations, the
after opening, when the flower has turned from green to
young trees are often interplanted with short-term food
yellow. Flowers are best collected in the early morning
crops. Also, the tree fits in nicely as an understory species
hours before much of the fragrance dissipates.
in traditional agroforests, although reduced productivity of
flowers can be expected with increased shade.
Estimated yield
Topped trees of cv. group Ylang-ylang rarely produce more Example system (Raynor 2004)
than 20 kg (44 lb) of flowers per year. Yields from cv.
group Cananga (grown in Java, Fiji, and Samoa) can reach Location
30–100 kg (66–220 lb) per year. Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.

On-farm processing methods Description

The flowers should be distilled immediately after In the mid-1980s, the Ponape Coconut Products company
harvest- ing. If there is a delay, the flowers can be laid (PCP), which was at that time part of the Ponape Agricul-
out under cover to avoid fermentation, although the ture and Trade School, planted 1 ha (2.5 ac) of ylang-ylang
delay reduces the quantity of oil extracted. Water or for essential oil to use as perfume in their coconut soap
steam distillation is used. Small traditional stills yield about products. The company had been importing ylang-ylang
1% oil, while large modern stills can yield 2%. oil for a high price from France and hoped to substitute
locally-produced oil. Another 1 ha (2.5 ac) was planted and
Markets managed by collaborating farmers, and a distillery was
The market for the distilled oil is the French perfume in- funded by a German group. After 3 years, the project was
dustry and herbalists and aromatherapists in the developed terminated for several reasons:
world. 1. The yield of flowers at any one time was small, making
the distillery operation difficult and inefficient.

8 Cananga odorata (ylang-

2. The yield of essential oil was a very small percentage Fosberg, F.R., M-H.Sachet, and R. Oliver. 1979. A geo-
of the flowers by weight (<1%). graphical checklist of the Micronesian Dicotyledonae.
3. The poor return to farmers (about $0.50/hour for labor) Micronesica 15 (1 & 2): 41–295.
was a disincentive to harvesting. MacKee, H.S. 1985. Les Plantes Introdouites et Cultivees
4. The overall cost of production was greater than the en Nouvelle-Caledonie: Supplemant a la Flore de la
cost of importing the oil. Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances (volume hors-serie).
Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Laboratoire de
Crop/tree interactions Phanerogamie, Paris, France.
About 0.4 ha (1 ac) of the ylang-ylang plantation was Macmillan, H.F. (Revised by H.S. Barlow, I. Enoch and
intercropped with commercial bananas and black pep- R.A. Russell). 1991. Tropical Planting and Gardening.
per (grown on fern posts), at the same spacing as the trees, Malayan Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur.
to help shade weeds and provide some income while the Merlin, M., A. Kugfas, T. Keen, and J. Juvik. 1996. Gidii nge
Gakiiy nu Wa’ab. Plants, People and Ecology in Yap. East-
company waited for the ylang-ylang trees to bear flowers.
West Center, Honolulu.
Spacing/density of species Merlin, M., J. Dageo, W. Raynor, T. Keene, J. Juvik, and
B. Sebastian. 1992. Tuhke en Pohnpei: Plants of Pohnpei.
The plantation was laid out on a 4 x 4 m (13 x 13 ft)
East West Center, Honolulu.
spacing. However, by the end of the project (3 yr) it was
MweiNet. 2000. L’ylang-ylang des Comores. <http://www.
obvious that the trees were spaced too closely (branches
comores-online.com/epices/ylang.htm>.
of adjoin- ing trees were intertwined). Since the project
Neal, M.C. 1965. In Gardens of Hawaii, new and rev. ed.
was aban- doned, no action was taken and the plantation
Special publication 50 (Bernice P. Bishop Museum). Bish-
was allowed to revert to secondary forest. op Museum Press, Honolulu.
Local farmers were less enthusiastic about planting new ☛ Oyen, L.P.A., and N.X. Dung. 1999. Plant Resources of
tress, with most converting their plantations to second- South-East Asia No. 19. Essential Oil Plants. Backhuys
ary forest, topping the existing wild ylang-ylang trees, and Publishers, Leiden, Netherlands.
planting yam under the other tree species, which they ring- Pacific Ecosystems at Risk (PIER). 2003. Cananga odorata.
barked. They also interplanted banana in their plantations. Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER). <http://www.
hear.org/pier/species/cananga_odorata.htm>.
Pacific Ecosystems at Risk (PIER). 2004. Cananga
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND odorata: Weed Risk Assessment Results. Pacific Island
AGROFORESTRY EXTENSION Ecosystems at Risk (PIER).
<http://www.hear.org/pier/wra/pacific/
Extension offices for agroforestry and forestry in the Pa-
cananga_odorata_htmlwra.htm>.
cific: http://www.traditionaltree.org/extension.html
Raulerson, L., and Rinehart, A. 1991. Trees and Shrubs of
the Northern Mariana Islands. Coastal Resources Man-
agement, Saipan, CNMI.
BIBLIOGRAPHY Raynor, B. 2004. Personal communication, March 22, 2004.
(☛ indicates recommended reading) Schmidt. R.J. 1994–2004. Annonaceae (Custard apple fam-
ily). Botanical Dermatology Database. <http://bodd.cf.ac.
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10 Cananga odorata (ylang-

 Traditional Tree Initiative—Species Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry (www.traditionaltree.org)

Cananga odorata (ylang-ylang)

Authors: Harley I. Manner1 and Craig R. Elevitch2
1. University of Guam, College of Arts and Sciences, UOG Station, Mangilao, GU 96923 USA; Tel: 671-735-2874; Fax: 671-734-5255;
E-mail: hmanner@uog9.uog.edu
2. Permanent Agriculture Resources, PO Box 428, Holualoa, HI 96725 USA; Tel: 808-324-4427; Fax: 808-324-4129; E-mail: par@
agroforestry.net; Web: <http://www.agroforestry.net>.
Acknowledgments: The authors and publisher thank Dale Evans, Bill Raynor, and Art Whistler for their input. The example
system contributed by Bill Raynor is greatly appreciated.
Recommended citation: Manner, H.I., and C.R. Elevitch. 2006. Cananga odorata (ylang-ylang), ver. 2.1. In: Elevitch, C.R. (ed.).
Species Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry. Permanent Agriculture Resources (PAR), Hōlualoa, Hawai‘i. <http://www.tradi-
tionaltree.org>.
Sponsors: Publication was made possible by generous support of the United States Department of Agriculture Western Region Sus-
tainable Agriculture Research and Education (USDA-WSARE) Program; SPC/GTZ Pacific-German Regional Forestry Project;
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS); State of Hawai‘i Department of Land & Natural Resources Divi-
sion of Forestry & Wildlife; and the USDA Forest Service Forest Lands Enhancement Program. This material is based upon work
supported by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and
Agricultural Experiment Station, Utah State University, under Cooperative Agreement 2002-47001-01327.
Series editor: Craig R. Elevitch
Publisher: Permanent Agriculture Resources (PAR), PO Box 428, Hōlualoa, Hawai‘i 96725, USA; Tel: 808-324-4427; Fax: 808-324-
4129; E-mail: par@agroforestry.net; Web: <http://www.agroforestry.net>. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Reproduction: Copies of this publication can be downloaded from <http://www.traditionaltree.org>. This publication may be repro-
duced for noncommercial educational purposes only, with credit given to the source. © 2006 Permanent Agriculture Resources.
All rights reserved.

Species Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry (www.traditionaltree.org)