Economic importance of Michelia spp.

Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Magnoliales
Family: Magnoliaceae
Genus:  Michelia
Species: M. champaca ; M. oblonga
Common name: Champa
Origin: India

Description: An evergreen tree. It is best known and cultivated for its strongly fragrant yellow or white flowers.

Economic Importance:

M . champaca:

• Wood used for posts, boards, veneers, furniture, decorative fittings, carriage and ship – building, and carving. Also suitable for bent- wood ribs, general joinery work, bobbins, drums, battery separators and tea chest plywood.
• Flowers are source of Champa oil or Champaca oil, used in perfumery. Flowers are also used in preparation of attars and perfumed hair oils. They also yield a yellow dye. The flowers also find use in dyspepsia, nausea, and fever, also useful as a diuretic in renal diseases. The flowers are used in Southeast Asia for several purposes. They are floated in bowls of water to scent the room, as a fragrant decoration for bridal beds, and for garlands and hair ointments. The flower is the main scent present in the commercial “joy” perfume, and is sometimes commonly called the “joy perfume tree”.Leaves yield an essential oil with odour reminiscent of Basil (Ocimum basilicumLinn.) Seeds contain a fat. Fruits eaten.
• Bark contains tannins, chewed with betel and used as an adulterant of cinnamon. Bark stimulant and diuretic.

 M. oblonga:

• Wood is employed for planking, rough furniture, cabinet work, and canoes, and for tea chests.