Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Anyone know how to propagate this?, 1 by Clare_CA

Clare_CA wrote:
Hi Maui, the white-flowered Michelia x alba (Pak-Lan) is a hybrid of Michelia champaca, which has yellow flowers. The Michelia champaca has slightly different leaves, different growth habit, and some other different characteristics than those of Michelia x alba. For instance, Michelia champaca leaves are pubescent while Michelia x alba leaves are glabrous. Also, Michelia x alba seeds are sterile; Michelia champaca seeds are fertile.

A white form of Michelia champaca was created when seeds of the yellow-flowered Michelia champaca were sown and a tree was brought to maturity and found to have white flowers. It retained all the other Michelia champaca characteristics, including the fragrance, which is distinctly different from Michelia x alba. Michelia x alba has a very sweet-smelling fragrance while Michelia champaca has a much more musky fragrance, which is stronger. I have been told that the Michelia champaca with white flowers does not smell as nice as the Michelia champaca with orange flowers.

Below is a picture of the white-flowered Michelia champaca, taken in Thailand. As far as I know, it is not being sold here commercially. Michelia champaca, Michelia x alba, and Michelia figo are more common. I also have Michelia chapensis, which is somewhat rare.