The overlooked scent of Ixora finlaysoniana

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Ixora finlaysoniana is a large shrub that can reach heights of up to 6 m tall and is widely grown in warmer gardens worldwide. It has been recorded from NE India to southern China, to Thailand and southwards to the Philippines. However, there have been doubts if this species does naturally occur within the islands; this site does not even include it in the list of indigenous Ixora found in the country: http://philippineplants.org/Families/Rubiaceae.html


In the Philippines, Ixora species and hybrids- locally known as 'santan'- are often maintained in gardens and even planted along streets, particularly the red or orange-flowered ones. Ixora finlaysoniana is less commonly seen, due to less demand from the general public and therefore not usually stocked in nurseries or garden centers. This lack of appreciation probably stems from the species' large eventual size which dissuades most casual gardeners from even considering it. However, I. finlaysoniana deserves to be more widely kept due to the large heads of flowers that can get up to around 20 cm in diameter. Furthermore, the flowers are perfumed, with a scent that is soft and not overpowering. The fragrance is not easy to describe, and people will have different accounts regarding that, depending on their perceptions and memory of scents long ago relished. For me, the flowers reminds one of a fragrant bath soap with undertones of Gardenia and a hint of citrus blossoms. Rather surprisingly, this shrub is not often mentioned in blogs or books when tropical fragrant plants are discussed.


As a side note, Ibrahim (2015) mentioned that two oils extracted from this species showed "significant efficacy and potency as antiulcer, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, chronic hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective; offering a support to recommendations of the possible utility of the oil of Ixora finlaysoniana as a potent drug in these activities." So despite its under-representation in gardens, I. finlaysoniana may one day find itself soothing not just our senses, but our ills as well.

Most gardeners who know me associate me with plants that eat insects, and those that are voluminously fragrant and appealing to flies and maggots (e.g. Amorphophallus and some stapeliads), but I do have a soft spot for scented flowers and aromatic leaves. After all, a garden is only half a garden without fragrance.

Bibliography

Flora of China- http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=242327394

Ibrahim, I. 2015. Composition and Bioactivities of the Essential oil of Ixora finlaysoniana Wall. ex G. Don. (Family Rubiaceae). Journal of essential oil-bearing plants. 18(4): 754-766

Pelser, P.B., Barcelona, J.F., & Nickrent, D.L., (eds.). 2011 onwards. Co's Digital Flora of the Philippines. http://philippineplants.org/Families/Rubiaceae.html

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