Magnolia champaca

Etymology

The species epithet, champaca, comes from the Sanskrit word "चम्पक" ().

Vernacular names

Other vernacular names in English include joy perfume tree, yellow jade orchid tree and fragrant Himalayan champaca.

Distribution and habitat

The tree is native to the Indomalayan realm, consisting of South Asia, Southeast Asia−Indochina, and southern China.

It is found in tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests ecoregions, at elevations of 200 -. 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.

Description

In its native range Magnolia champaca grows to 50 m or taller. Its trunk can be up to 1.9 m in diameter. The tree has a narrow umbelliform crown.

It has strongly fragrant flowers in varying shades of cream to yellow-orange which bloom during June to September. The obovoid-ellipsoid carpels produce 2−4 seeds during September to October.

File:White champak flower.jpg|White champak flower File:Inflorescence of Champak flower.jpg|Base of champak flower File:Champak flower parts.jpg|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 m tall, documented in China.
• Magnolia (Michelia) champaca var. pubinervia — Mao ye mai huang lan (毛叶脉黄兰) in Chinese. To 50 m tall or taller, documented in China.
• Magnolia × alba — white-flowered hybrid of Magnolia champaca and Magnolia montana.

In Thailand, there are other purported hybrids cultivated with other species, including with Magnolia liliifera and Magnolia coco.

Cultural aspects

In Theravada Buddhism, champaca is said to have been used as the tree for achieving enlightenment, or Bodhi, by the fourteenth Buddha called "Aththadassi – අත්ථදස්සි". According to Tibetan beliefs, the Buddha of the next era will find enlightenment under the white flower canopy of the champaca tree. It also has importance in Hindu culture.

In the province of Aceh, Indonesia, the champak flower () is highly revered in Acehnese culture, being seen as the flower of Aceh as a whole. It's used as a symbol of beauty, commonly seen in rituals or used as ornaments. An Acehnese folk song titled Bungong Jeumpa () sings about its beauty and characteristics.

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.

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.

A scent similar to the scent of this plant is said to be emitted by a civet in Sri Lanka, Paradoxurus montanus. Because all the other civets are known to emit very unpleasant odours, this species is renowned for emitting a pleasant odour similar to this plant's scent.

Timber

In its native India and Southeast Asia, champaca is logged for its valuable timber. It has a finely textured, dark brown and olive-colored wood, which is used in furniture making, construction, and cabinetry.

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.

Cultivation

Magnolia champaca is cultivated by specialty plant nurseries as an ornamental plant, for its form as an ornamental tree, as a dense screening hedge, and for its fragrant flowers. It is planted in the ground in tropical and in subtropical climate gardens, such as in coastal Southern and Central California. It is planted in containers in cooler temperate climates. It requires full sun and regular watering.

Ecology

The fragrant flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Alkaloids

Ushinsunine (aka Micheline A) [3175-89-1] is an aporphine alkaloid contained in Magnolia champaca.

References

References

1. Khela, S.. (2014). "''Magnolia champaca''".
2. (2023). "''Magnolia champaca'' (L.) Baill. ex Pierre". Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.
3. {{OED. CHAMPAK
4. (n.d.). "''Michelia champaca'' Linnaeus". eFloras.
5. (1981). "चम्प ''campa''". Motilal Banarsidass.
6. [http://www.pacifichorticulture.org/articles/striving-for-diversity-fragrant-champaca/ Pacific Horticulture Society: "Striving for Diversity: Fragrant Champaca"] . accessed 7.12.2015
7. . ["PlantFiles"](http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/53529/).
8. {{GRIN
9. It is native to the [[Maldives]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Cambodia]], [[China]], [[India]], [[Indonesia]], [[Malaysia]], [[Myanmar]], [[Nepal]], the [[Philippines]], [[Thailand]], and [[Vietnam]]. In China it is native to southern [[Tibet]] and southern/southwestern [[Yunnan]] Provinces.[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=110&taxon_id=20000847 efloras.org: Annotated Checklist of the Flowering Plants of Nepal − ''Michelia (Magnolia) champaca'']
10. Al-Sagheer, Nageeb A.. (2021-05-01). "''Magnolia champaca'' (L.) Baill. ex Pierre (Magnoliaceae): A first report and a new record in the Arabian Peninsula (Yemen)". Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences.
11. [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=250090232 efloras.org: Flora of China treatment of ''Michelia (Magnolia) champaca'' var. ''champaca'']
12. "Flora of China FOC Vol. 7 pg 51, 80. — ''Michelia (Magnolia) champaca'' var. ''pubinervia''".
13. "Fragrant Himalayan Champaca". Monrovia Nurseries.
14. Redaksi. (2022-12-26). "Bungong Jeumpa dalam Budaya Aceh".
15. Serambi, Wahana News. (2021-11-26). "Cempaka Kuning Flora Khas dari Provinsi Aceh".
16. Lissafrina. (28 June 2024). "Mengenal Bungong Jeumpa yang Jadi Kebanggaan Masyarakat Aceh".
17. Serambi, Wahana News. (2021-11-26). "Cempaka Kuning Flora Khas dari Provinsi Aceh".
18. (2 September 2023). "Tari Bungong Jeumpa: Asal-usul, Makna, Lirik, dan Gerakan".
19. LindungiHutan, Magang Alam. (2023-07-31). "Bunga Cempaka: Tanaman Hijau Abadi Khas Aceh".
20. Minter, Sue. (2005). "The Cultural History of Plants". Routledge.
21. "Sri Lankan Brown Palm Civets (Paradoxurus montanus): Non-Ringtails of Sri Lanka".
22. Its [[aril]]-covered seeds are highly attractive to birds.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
23. (1963). "Studies on the Alkaloids of Magnoliaceous Plants. XXXVI: Alkaloids of Michelia Champaca LINN". Yakugaku Zasshi.