Scientific Name : Michelia champaca L.
Common Name : Yellow Jade Orchid Tree, Champac
Chinese Name : 黃蘭、黃玉蘭、黃緬桂
Family : MAGNOLIACEAE
Local distribution status : Exotic species
| Origins | Native to Xizang and Yunnan of China, Yellow Jade Orchid Tree is broadly cultivated in Hong Kong, Macau, and several provinces of China, including Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and Taiwan. It is also found in South and Southeast Asia countries including India, Nepal, Myanmar and Vietnam. |
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| Meanings of name | The generic name Michelia commemorates Italian botanist Pier Antonio Micheli (1679-1737). The specific epithet champaca is derived from चम्पक (campaka), the Sanskrit term for the flower of Michelia champaca. |
| Vitality | Yellow Jade Orchid Tree prefers a full sun environment and is highly tolerant of waterlogging, roadside pollution, pests, and diseases. |
| Ecology | Usually grows in altitude areas between 200-1600m, often in evergreen broad-leaved forests, and is commonly cultivated in urban areas. |
| Application | Due to its fragrant flowers, dense foliage, and attractive tree form, Yellow Jade Orchid Tree is considered as an outstanding ornamental species in tropical Asia. The flowers are used in Hindu and Buddhist religious offerings. Additionally, they contain abundant essential oils and are commonly processed into perfumes and hair oils. Traditional Ayurvedic medicine utilizes bark infusions to alleviate fever, while tea brewed from the leaves is used to treat tonsillitis and cough. Flowers and buds are applied directly to wounds or inflammation due to their antiseptic properties. Its timber is durable and lightweight, making it suitable for furniture and shipbuilding. Yellow Jade Orchid Tree (Michelia champaca) and White Jade Orchid Tree (Michelia × alba): Both trees are members of Michelia genus. Yellow Jade Orchid Tree and White Jade Orchid Tree are common ornamental species found in parks. They can be distinguished by observing the length of petioles, flowers and fruits. The petiole length of the Yellow Jade Orchid Tree is double that of White Jade Orchid Tree, measuring between 2-4 cm and 1.5-2 cm respectively. As implied by their name, the flowers of Yellow Jade Orchid Tree are yellow, while that of White Jade Orchid Tree are white. Since White Jade Orchid Tree is a hybrid species, it rarely produces fruit, whereas Yellow Jade Orchid Tree forms aggregate fruits with red seeds. |
| Growing habit | Evergreen tree. |
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| Height | To 10 m tall or above. |
| Stem | Trunk is straight and columnar with smooth grey bark. Buds, young twigs, young leaves and petioles covered with pale yellow appressed hairs. |
| Leaves | Leaves lanceolate-ovate or lanceolate-long elliptic, abaxially slightly puberulous, base broadly cuneate, cuneate, or rounded, apex long acuminate or subcaudate. Stipules attached to petiole, leaving a ring-like stipular scar on the branches when it fallen. Stipular scars exceeding middle of petioles. Petioles 2-4 cm. |
| Flower | Flowers fragrant, light yellow. Tepals oblanceolate, gynoecium with trichomes. |
| Fruit | Aggregate fruit, drooping, follicles obovoid-ellipsoid, tuberculate. |
| Seed | Seed rugose. |
| Flowering period | June to July in Hong Kong. |
| Fruiting period | September to October in Hong Kong. |
Scientific name above is based on Hong Kong Herbarium website:
https://www.herbarium.gov.hk/en/hk-plant-database/plant-detail/index.html?pType=species&oID=3434
Scientific Names from Other Databases
―Flora of China: Michelia champaca
―GBIF: Michelia champaca L./ Magnolia champaca (L.) Baill. ex Pierre