Magnolia champaca
Magnolia champaca | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Magnoliids |
Order: | Magnoliales |
Family: | Magnoliaceae |
Genus: | Magnolia |
Subgenus: | Magnolia subg. Yulania
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Section: | Magnolia sect. Michelia |
Subsection: | Magnolia subsect. Michelia |
Species: | M. champaca
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Binomial name | |
Magnolia champaca | |
Synonyms[2] | |
List
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Magnolia champaca, known in English as champak (/ˈtʃʌmpək/),[3] is a large evergreen tree in the family Magnoliaceae.[4] It was previously classified as Michelia champaca.[4][5] It is known for its fragrant flowers, and its timber used in woodworking.
Etymology
The species epithet, champaca, comes from the Sanskrit word चम्पक campaka (pronounced [tɕɐmpɐkɐ]).[6]
Vernacular names
Other vernacular names in English include joy perfume tree,[5] yellow jade orchid tree and fragrant Himalayan champaca.[7][8]
Distribution and habitat
The tree is native to the Indomalayan realm, consisting of South Asia, Southeast Asia−Indochina, and southern China.[9]
It is found in tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests ecoregions, at elevations of 200–1,600 metres (660–5,250 ft).[4] It is native to the Maldives, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.[4] In China it is native to southern Tibet and southern/southwestern Yunnan Provinces.[4][10] In 2021, an isolated, presumably native population of M. champaca was identified in Yemen, making M. champaca the only species in the Magnoliaceae known to inhabit the Arabian Peninsula.[11]
Description
In its native range Magnolia champaca grows to 50 metres (160 ft) or taller. Its trunk can be up to 1.9 metres (6.2 ft) in diameter. The tree has a narrow umbelliform
It has strongly fragrant flowers in varying shades of cream to yellow-orange which bloom during June to September.
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White champak flower
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Base of champak flower
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Single champak petal
Varieties—hybrids
Magnolia champaca varieties and hybrids include:
- Magnolia (Michelia) champaca var. champaca — Huang lan (yuan bian zhong), (黄兰(原变种)) in Chinese. To 30 metres (98 ft) tall, documented in China.[12]
- Magnolia (Michelia) champaca var. pubinervia — Mao ye mai huang lan (毛叶脉黄兰) in Chinese. To 50 metres (160 ft) tall or taller, documented in China.[13]
- Magnolia × alba — white-flowered hybrid of Magnolia champaca and Magnolia montana.[5]
In Thailand, there are other purported hybrids cultivated with other species, including with Magnolia liliifera and Magnolia coco.
Cultural aspects
In
Uses
Fragrance
The flowers are used in South Asia, especially India, for several purposes. They are primarily used in worship ceremonies, whether at home or out in temples, they are also more generally worn in hair by girls and women as a means of beauty ornament as well as a natural perfume. Flowers are floated in bowls of water to scent the room, as a fragrant and colourful decoration for bridal beds, and for garlands.[14]
The tree was traditionally used to make fragrant hair and massage oils. Jean Patou’s famous perfume, 'Joy', the second best selling perfume in the world after Chanel No. 5, is derived in part from the essential oils of champaca flowers. The vernacular name "Joy perfume tree" comes from this.[5]
A scent similar to the scent of this plant is said to be emitted by a
Timber
In its native India and Southeast Asia, champaca is logged for its valuable
The species is protected from logging in some states of India, especially in the Southwestern region, where certain groves are considered sacred by Hindus and Buddhists.[5]
Cultivation
Magnolia champaca is cultivated by specialty
Ecology
The fragrant flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.[8] Its aril-covered seeds are highly attractive to birds.[16]
References
- . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Magnolia champaca (L.) Baill. ex Pierre". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
- ^ "CHAMPAK". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Michelia champaca Linnaeus". Flora of China. eFloras. n.d. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Pacific Horticulture Society: "Striving for Diversity: Fragrant Champaca" . accessed 7.12.2015
- ^ Monier-Williams, Monier (1981). "चम्प campa". A Sanskrit-English Dictionary. Delhi, Varanasi, Patna: Motilal Banarsidass. p. 388.
- ^ "PlantFiles". Dave's Garden. Retrieved 2015-08-02.
- ^ a b c d e "Fragrant Himalayan Champaca". Monrovia Nurseries. Archived from the original on 13 July 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
- ^ "Magnolia champaca". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
- ^ efloras.org: Annotated Checklist of the Flowering Plants of Nepal − Michelia (Magnolia) champaca
- ISSN 1658-077X.
- ^ efloras.org: Flora of China treatment of Michelia (Magnolia) champaca var. champaca
- ^ "Flora of China FOC Vol. 7 pg 51, 80. — Michelia (Magnolia) champaca var. pubinervia".
- ISBN 9780415927468.
- ^ "Sri Lankan Brown Palm Civets (Paradoxurus montanus): Non-Ringtails of Sri Lanka".
- ISBN 85-85015-07-1, page 374
Further reading
- Fernando, M. Thilina R., et al. "Identifying dormancy class and storage behaviour of champak (Magnolia champaca) seeds, an important tropical timber tree." Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka 41.2 (2013): 141-146.