A tall South Asian tree of the magnolia family whose cream and orange flowers carry one of the most prized perfumes in Indian temple and bridal tradition.
Where it grows
Champaca grows wild and cultivated through the warm lowland forests of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, southern China, and Southeast Asia. It is widely planted around Hindu and Buddhist temples, where the strong scent of its evening-released flowers is considered an offering in itself.
How to recognise it
A semi-evergreen tree fifteen to thirty metres tall in the wild, smaller in cultivation, with glossy, elongated dark green leaves and grey-brown bark. The eight to fifteen narrow tepals open from velvety buds in pairs along the branches, releasing a sweet, fruity-floral perfume that intensifies at dusk.
Garden & cultural uses
Champaca absolute is a key ingredient in classic perfumery, lending warmth and a tea-like floral note to fragrances such as Chanel Gabrielle and Tom Ford Champaca Absolute. In southern India the flowers are threaded into bridal garlands and worn in the hair to perfume it through the day.
In ritual
In Bali, champaca petals are floated in temple offerings; in Hindu mythology the flower is associated with the goddess Lakshmi and with the god of love, Kamadeva.
Find more flowers by letter
Champaca starts with C and ends with A. Browse other flowers along the same letter.
Flowers that contain a letter from "Champaca":