magnolia champaca

The species epithet, champaca, comes from the Sanskrit word "चम्पक" {{IAST|campaka}} ({{IPA|sa|tɕɐmpɐkɐ|pron}}).{{cite dictionary |year=1981 |title=चम्प campa |dictionary=A Sanskrit-English Dictionary |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |place=Delhi, Varanasi, Patna |url=https://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/scans/csl-apidev/servepdf.php?dict=MW&page=388 |author-link=Monier Monier-Williams |pages=388 |last1=Monier-Williams |first1=Monier}}

Other vernacular names in English include joy perfume tree,[http://www.pacifichorticulture.org/articles/striving-for-diversity-fragrant-champaca/ Pacific Horticulture Society: "Striving for Diversity: Fragrant Champaca"] . accessed 7.12.2015 yellow jade orchid tree and fragrant Himalayan champaca.{{cite web |url=http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/53529/ |title=PlantFiles |author= |website=Dave's Garden |access-date=2015-08-02 }}

The tree is native to the Indomalayan realm, consisting of South Asia, Southeast Asia−Indochina, and southern China.{{GRIN | access-date = 15 December 2017}}

It is found in tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests ecoregions, at elevations of {{convert|200|-|1600|m|ft}}. 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] 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.{{Cite journal |last=Al-Sagheer |first=Nageeb A. |date=2021-05-01 |title=Magnolia champaca (L.) Baill. ex Pierre (Magnoliaceae): A first report and a new record in the Arabian Peninsula (Yemen) |journal=Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences |language=en |volume=20 |issue=4 |pages=243–247 |doi=10.1016/j.jssas.2021.02.003 |issn=1658-077X |doi-access=free}}

In its native range Magnolia champaca grows to {{convert|50|m|ft}} or taller. Its trunk can be up to {{convert|1.9|m|ft}} 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

Magnolia champaca varieties and hybrids include:

• Magnolia (Michelia) champaca var. champaca — Huang lan (yuan bian zhong), (黄兰(原变种)) in Chinese. To {{convert|30|m|ft}} tall, documented in China.[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=250090232 efloras.org: Flora of China treatment of Michelia (Magnolia) champaca var. champaca]
• Magnolia (Michelia) champaca var. pubinervia — Mao ye mai huang lan (毛叶脉黄兰) in Chinese. To {{convert|50|m|ft}} tall or taller, documented in China.{{cite web|url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=242332307|title=Flora of China FOC Vol. 7 pg 51, 80. — Michelia (Magnolia) champaca var. pubinervia}}
• 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.

File:Magnolia1.jpg

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.{{cite web | title = Fragrant Himalayan Champaca | url = http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1850/fragrant-himalayan-champaca/ | publisher = Monrovia Nurseries | access-date = 12 July 2015 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150713171342/http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1850/fragrant-himalayan-champaca/ | archive-date = 13 July 2015}} It also has importance in Hindu culture.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

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.{{cite book |last=Minter |first=Sue |chapter=Fragrant Plants |editor-last1=Prance |editor-first1=Ghillean |editor-last2=Nesbitt |editor-first2=Mark |date=2005 |title=The Cultural History of Plants |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8ejo63Wk5rgC |location=London, England, UK |publisher=Routledge |page=242 |isbn=9780415927468}}

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.{{Cite web|url=http://wizzley.com/sri-lankan-brown-palm-civets-paradoxurus-montanus-non-ringtails-of-sri-lanka/|title=Sri Lankan Brown Palm Civets (Paradoxurus montanus): Non-Ringtails of Sri Lanka}}

File:Champak fruits.jpg

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.

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.

The fragrant flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. 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

{{Reflist|30em}}

• 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.

{{commons category|Magnolia champaca}}

• [http://www.rngr.net/Publications/ttsm/Folder.2003-07-11.4726/PDF.2004-03-15.2835/file Chittagong University, Bangladesh: Michelia champaca - detailed information]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q167027}}

champaca

Category:Trees of China

Category:Flora of tropical Asia

Category:Plants described in 1753

Category:Garden plants of Asia

Category:Ornamental trees

Category:Taxa named by Henri Ernest Baillon

Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus

Category:Taxa named by Jean Baptiste Louis Pierre