Ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) is a tree of the Annonaceae family, native to South-East Asia.
Its Malay name means "flower of flowers". Its bark is grey; its bright green persistent leaves are arranged regularly along its long branches. The bunches of yellow flowers exhale a penetrating odour. Wild trees can grow to a height of twenty metres, but when cultivated, it is restricted to two or three metres to facilitate harvesting, which starts when the petals wither and their reddish base appears.
Main aromatic molecules: Sesquiterpenes (germacrene-D, α-farnesene, beta-caryophyllene), monoterpenols (linalool), esters (benzyl acetate, benzoate and salicylate).
Family: Annonaceae.
Producing organs: Flowers.
Yield: 1.8 to 2.4 kg of essential oil per 100 kg of flowers.
Equivalence: 1 ml → 31 drops (dosage calculated for a calibrated dropper European Pharmacopoeia).
