Cananga odorata, known as the cananga tree , is a tropical tree that originates in the Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines. It is valued for the perfume extracted from its flowers, called ylang-ylang(name also used for the tree itself), which is an essential oil used in aromatherapy. The tree is also called the fragrant cananga, Macassar-oil plant, or perfume tree.

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 in) 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 highly scented flowers.