High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Cananga odorata is a fast-growing tree of the custard-apple family, Annonaceae, that exceeds 5 m per year and attains an average height of 12 m. It grows in full or partial sun, and prefers the acidic soils of its native rainforest habitat. The evergreen leaves are smooth and glossy, oval, pointed, with wavy margins, and 13?20cm long. The flower is drooping, long-stalked, with six narrow greenish yellow petals, rather like a sea star in appearance, and yields a highly fragrant essential oil. Cananga odorata var. fruticosa, dwarf ylang-ylang, grows as small tree or compact shrub with highly scented flowers. Ylang-ylang has been cultivated in temperate climates under conservatory conditions.