An ylang-ylang tree is blooming in the small patch of jungle created at the Primorsky Aquarium. Greenish yellow flowers with exquisitely twisted petals give off a unique subtle fragrance, a mixture of gardenia, jasmine and bitter orange.
Ylang-ylang, or Cananga odorata, is believed to be native to the Philippines. Later, it was brought to many tropical countries: Indonesia, India, Malaysia, the Comoro Islands, and Madagascar. Now, Madagascar has become the world’s leading producer of ylang-ylang essential oil.
The regular Cananga odorata tree can grow to 40 meters tall (over 120 feet), but the trees cultivated for the essential oil are topped at up to three meters height for ease of harvesting. The pickers start collecting the flowers before dawn and finish by ten o’clock in order to keep the petals fresh. The flowers are processed for oil during the same day. One ylang-ylang tree may produce up to 100 kilograms of fragrant blossoms per year.
This exotic plant triumphantly made its way into the world of perfumery thanks to famous fashion designer Coco Chanel. Her Chanel No. 5 was the first perfume that used ylang-ylang as the top note. Currently, up to ninety percent of all famous Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, and Hermès fragrances are based on this scent.
As for the people living on tropical islands, the beautiful tree has always been a part of their culture. For example, when a Malagasy man confesses his love, he compares the woman he chose to a yellow ylang-ylang flower, which is a symbol of true affection and tenderness. In Indonesia, the petals of Cananga odorata are traditionally spread on the bed of newlywed couples, as it is considered the strongest aphrodisiac. In Madagascar, one ice cream variety is even produced with the taste of ylang-ylang.
There is no need to travel to tropical islands in order to see this legendary tree. All our visitors can admire the blossoming ylang-ylang in the Tropical Rain Forest Exhibit and maybe even smell its alluring aroma.