Family: Annonaceae

Ylang-ylang is a small flowering tree. The native origins are obscure due to the long history of cultivation. Although, The Indo-Malayan region is thought to be the general native range.

Cultivated primarily for the exceptionally fragrant flowers, they are used to make essential oils. Perfumes, shampoos, lotions are some products sweetened with this fantastic floral scent. In addition, they make fabulous street trees, focal points, and trellises for other plants.

*Peek scent is early morning, 15 to 20 days after the flowers have opened, and after they have changed in color from green to yellow. Predawn is the best to pick flowers as heat dissipates the fragrance.
A fast-growing evergreen tree. Ylang-ylang requires constant pruning to have a bush shape.

Plant Uses:

• Cut flower
• Edible
• Fragrant
• Hedge
• Ornamental
• Specimen

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalizes beyond native range
  
• Disturbance-adapted (colonizes cleared land)
  
• Highly suited to tropical/subtropical climates
  
• Bird-dispersed seeds
  
• Intentionally planted by humans
  
• Host to pests (e.g., oriental fruit fly)

Low Risk Traits:

• Climatically restricted (needs high rainfall, warmth)
  
• Not a serious agricultural or environmental weed
  
• No allelopathy, thorns
  
• Not shade-tolerant
  
• Non-toxic; not a fire hazard
  
• Low seed production; requires specialist pollinators
  
• No vegetative spread in wild
  
• Seeds not wind/water-dispersed or contaminant-borne