Cananga odorata, known as the cananga tree (Indonesian: kenanga, Balinese: sandat, Acehnese: seulanga, Filipino: ilang-ilang, Ilocano: allangigan), is a tropical tree that originates in Indonesia, which in early 19th century spread to Malaysia and the Philippines.[1] It is valued for the perfume extracted from its flowers, called ylang-ylang /ˈiːlæŋ ˈiːlæŋ/ ee-lang-ee-lang[2] (a name also sometimes used for the tree itself), which is an essential oil used in aromatherapy. The tree is also called the fragrant cananga, Macassar-oil plant, or perfume tree.[3][4] Traditional Polynesian names include Mata‘oi (Cook Islands), Mohokoi (Tonga), Moso‘oi (Samoa), Moto‘oi (Hawai), Mokosoi/Mokasoi/Mokohoi (Fiji).[5]
The ylang-ylang vine (Artabotrys odoratissimus)[6] and climbing ylang-ylang (Artabotrys hexapetalus)[7]are woody, evergreen climbing plants in the same family. Artabotrys odoratissimus is also a source of perfume.[6]