Cananga odorata is a fast-growing tree of the custard apple family Annonaceae. Its growth exceeds 5m (15 ft) per year and attains an average height of 12m (40 ft)in an ideal climate. The evergreen leaves are smooth and glossy, oval, pointed and with wavy margins, and 13–20cm (5–8 inches) long. The flower is drooping, long-stalked with six narrow, greenish-yellow (rarely pink) 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 intense scented flowers.

The plant is native to the Philippines and Indonesia and is commonly grown in Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia and Comoros Islands. It grows in full or partial sun, and prefers the acidic soils of its native rainforest habitat. Ylang-ylang has been cultivated intemperate climates under conservatory conditions.

The main aromatic components of ylang-ylang oil are benzyl acetate, linalool, p-cresyl methyl ether, and methyl benzoate, responsible for its characteristic fragrance.