Magnolia champaca

This article is about the flower. For the magazine of the same name, see Champak (magazine).

Champak
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Magnoliids
Order:	Magnoliales
Family:	Magnoliaceae
Genus:	Magnolia
Species:	M. champaca
Binomial name
Magnolia champaca L.

Magnolia champaca is a large evergreen tree, native to the Indomalaya ecozone (consisting of South Asia, Southeast Asia and some parts of China).^[1] It is best known for its strongly fragrant yellow or white flowers. It is, however, primarily cultivated for its timber, and is also used in urban landscaping. Its aril-covered seeds are highly attractive to birds.^[2]

Varieties

This species occurs in varying shades of cream to yellow-orange. In China, M. champaca var. pubinervia is documented.^[3] Magnolia × alba is a hybrid cultivar of M. champaca. In Thailand, there has been some purported man-made hybrids with other magnolia species including Magnolia liliifera and Magnolia coco.

Etymology

The species ephithet, champaca, comes from the Sanskrit word campaka (pronounced tʃaɱpaka). Common names in other languages include champaca, champak, Sonchaaphaa(सोन चाफ़ा) in the marathi language, Chenbakam/Chenpakam (செண்பகம்) in Tamil, Chenbagam in Malayalam or golden champa, স্বর্ণচাঁপা in Bengali, champa, cempaka, sampenga and sampangi in Telugu, Sampige(ಸಂಪಿಗೆ) in Kannada and shamba. All other names above apply to Plumeria varieties as well with the exception of Sonchaaphaa which is exclusively this particular subvariety as considered in the western regions, with some half a dozen varieties of Plumeria along with Magnolia champaca (three varieties) and two varieties of Ylang Ylang covered under the generic name Chaaphaa in Marathi, and some given independent names ending in the generic Chaaphaa; red plumeria variety for instance is Dev Chaaphaa or God's Champa, and the two Ylang Ylang varieties each have a separate name as well.

A pale-flowered variety

.

Uses

Perfume

The flowers are used in Southeast Asia for several purposes. They are primarily used for worship at temples whether at home or out, and more generally worn in hair by girls and women as a means of beauty ornament as well as a natural perfume. Flowers are used to be floated in bowls of water to scent the room, as a fragrant decoration for bridal beds, and for garlands.

"Magnolia champaca however is more rare and has a strong perfume, and is not that commonly or plentifully used - for example in hair it is worn singly or as a small corsage but rarely as a whole garland, and for bridal beds it is most often jasmine and roses while for bowls of water to be placed around rooms usually other, more colourful for visual decoration and less strongly perfumed flowers are used."^[4]

The flower is sometimes commonly called the 'Joy perfume tree.' Many niche perfumers are now once again using Champaca Absolute as single note fragrances, notably Ormonde Jayne Perfumery launched in 2002 Champaca, Tom Ford Champaca Absolute and Comme des Garcons.

Cultivation

Magnolia champaca is cultivated and used as an ornamental tree in temperate climate gardens, such as in coastal California.

See also

• Magnolia × alba
• Magnolia

External links

• Chittagong University, Bangladesh: Michelia champaca - detailed information

References

1. ^ http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?452630
2. ^ FRISCH, J.D. & FRISCH, C.D. - Aves Brasileiras e Plantas que as atraem, São Paulo, Dalgas Ecotec, 3rd. edition, 2005, ISBN 85-85015-07-1, page 374
3. ^ http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=242332307
4. ^ Minter, S. "Fragrant Plants." in Prance, G. and M. Nesbitt. (2005). The Cultural History of Plants. London: Routledge. 242.This is great