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Artabotrys hexapetalus

(L.f.) Bhandari (1965)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Magnoliids Order: Magnoliales Family: Annonaceae Genus: Artabotrys

climbing ylang-ylang

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Shrubs to 10 m tall, climbing.

Stems: Branchlets glabrous or glabrescent.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades oblong to broadly lanceolate, 6–16(–25) × 2.5–6(–8) cm. Apex acuminate to acute. Base cuneate to acute. Upper surfaces glabrous; lower surfaces glabrous or only midvein puberulent; blade papery. Margins entire. Veins pinnate. Secondary veins 8–16 on each side of midvein and adaxially prominent. Petioles 4–8 mm. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in inflorescences 1– or 2–flowered. peduncle recurved, woody, persistent, forming a hook. torus flat or concave. Flowers bisexual (perfect), 2.5–3 cm in diam., bisexual (perfect), fragrant. Calyx of 3 sepals, green, ovate, 5–8 mm, sparsely puberulent valvate, connate at base. Corolla of 6 petals, in 2 whorls, greenish to yellowish, oblong–lanceolate, 3–4.5 × 0.9–1.6 cm, outside basally densely pubescent, contracted nearly to base but basally expanded, base concave, apex connivent. Stamens numerous, oblong, apex truncate; connectives apically 3-angular. Ovary superior; carpels oblong, glabrous; ovules 2 per carpel, basal.

Fruit: Monocarps ovoid; 2.5–4 × ca. 2.5 cm; glabrous; apex conspicuously apiculate; fleshy and berrylike. Seeds pale brown; 1.5–2 cm; smooth; without an aril.

Ploidy:

Habitat:

Elevation Range: 100–300 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Only found in cultivation
O'ahu Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Baileya 12: 149 (1965)

Other References

Nagata 1995:11 (NEWNAT/O, H); Starr et al. 2003:24 (EM, DESCR); Staples & Herbst 2005:108 (KEY), 110 (DESCR); Faccenda, Arthur, et al. 2025:154 (K)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Artabotrys hexapetalus East Maui, Hana District, Haleakala National Park, Kipahulu Section, pasture in Oheo Vegetation: Alien Forest with Terminalia, Syzygium, Psidium, Schinus Preserved_Specimen Small trees to 4m+; mature fruit yellow, mildly fragrant Oppenheimer, H.L. 112330 Maui BISH 2023-11-17
2 Artabotrys hexapetalus East Maui, Hana District, Haleakala National Park, Kipahulu Section, pasture in Oheo Vegetation: Alien Forest with Terminalia, Syzygium, Psidium, Schinus Preserved_Specimen Small trees to 4m+; mature fruit yellow, mildly fragrant Oppenheimer, H.L. 112330 Maui BISH 2023-11-17
3 Artabotrys hexapetalus Hilo Forest Arboretum Preserved_Specimen Dense woody vine to 3.5 m. Stem at base to 3 in diameter. Leaves dark shiny green above; lighter green below. Stipules present. Midrib above and below yellow-green. Fruit yellow at maturity. Fruit yellow, like peach but sour and bitter. One-seeded, black. Fruit clustered in bunches. Teraoka, W. 164 Hawaii BISH 1979-11-27
4 Artabotrys hexapetalus 11th & Harding Ave, Kaimuki, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Large vine over arbor. St.John, H. 19972 Oahu BISH 1939-01-31
5 Artabotrys hexapetalus ahupuaa of Halepuaa in the Puna District. Growing near the Experimental Tree Planting area Preserved_Specimen Kubo, R. 32 Hawaii BISH 1979-05-10
6 Artabotrys hexapetalus Manoa Road, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Flowers greenich yellow, sweet smelling. Tree 3 m tall. Fosberg, F.R. 10586 Oahu BISH 1934-01-02
7 Artabotrys hexapetalus cultivated at 147 Royal Drive, Kapaa Preserved_Specimen Fastigiate small tree of 4 m (shape may be result of being pruned back severerly) with scandent branch tips. Oldest part of trunk pearl-grey to pale brown, but woody shoots mostly bright green, glossy, with grey corky patches where lateral branches issue. Branch tips bright green, glossy, the flowering branchlets paler, duller. Leaves above dark green to yellow-green, glossy, with paler midrib, below paler, less glossy. Flowers single, 3 x 4 cm, thickly fragrant (a few will pefume a large room); sepals dark green, 5 x 6 mm; petals 4 x 1 cm, when immature mostly green, maturing brighter yellowo-green, the basal claws of the six petals forming a cap covering stamens, the cap nearly white. Fruits up to 23 in a head; fruits to 4 x 2.5 cm, medium green, glossy, vaguely speckled, ripening yellow, when ripe pleasantly fragrant. Perhaps less widely grown than formerly, seems infrequent now. Hume, L. 425 Kauai BISH 1989-09-27
8 Artabotrys hexapetalus Koloa District, Lawai Valley. Cultivated the Allerton Estate at Lawai Kai Preserved_Specimen Free standing shrub of 12 ft.; leaves glossy dark green with lighter green midvein, below duller pale green with yellow-green midvein; immature fruit golssy whitish-green. Flynn, T.W. 5641 Kauai BISH 1994-10-14
9 Artabotrys hexapetalus Honolulu, East Manoa, Alani Dr, lot neighboring Sheila Conants property. Weedy vacant lot. growing up and all around a ca. 30 ft tree possibly Eucalyptus. Preserved_Specimen Vine, BISH staff Oahu BISH 2018-05-04
10 Artabotrys hexapetalus 2466 Prince Edward Street Preserved_Specimen Flowers yellowish green, the petals adnate except for three small holes near base. Fragrant at night! Weak-branched 1/2 m tall shrub. Iltis, H.H. 31 Oahu BISH 1967-06-07
11 Artabotrys hexapetalus Kapaa, 147 Royal Drive Preserved_Specimen 4 m tree, fastigate; trunk pearl gray to pale brown, stems bright green, glossy, gray corky patches; branch tips bight green, glossy, flowering branchlets paler, duller; leaves dark green to yellow green, paler midrib, below paler, less glossy; flower 3x4 cm, fragrant; sepals dark green, 5x6 mm; petals 4x1 cm; immature green, mature brighter yellow green, basal claws of 6 petals form a cap covering stamens, cap ~white; carpels to 23 in a head; fruit to 4x2.5 cm, medium green, glossy, speckled, ripening yellow, fragrant Hume, E.P. 425 Kauai BISH 1989-09-27
12 Artabotrys hexapetalus Honolulu, Manoa Road Preserved_Specimen Tree 3 m tall. Flowers greenish yellow, sweet smelling. Fosberg, F.R. 10586 Oahu BISH 1934-02-01
13 Artabotrys hexapetalus Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Garden. Collected: Sri Lanka Preserved_Specimen Shrub/liana in full sun. Flowers chartreuse, with a moderate sweet odor. Lau, J. 2843 Oahu BISH 1986-09-09
14 Artabotrys hexapetalus cultivated at 147 Royal Drive, Kapaa Preserved_Specimen Fastigiate small tree of 4 m (shape may be result of being pruned back severerly) with scandent branch tips. Oldest part of trunk pearl-grey to pale brown, but woody shoots mostly bright green, glossy, with grey corky patches where lateral branches issue. Branch tips bright green, glossy, the flowering branchlets paler, duller. Leaves above dark green to yellow-green, glossy, with paler midrib, below paler, less glossy. Flowers single, 3 x 4 cm, thickly fragrant (a few will pefume a large room); sepals dark green, 5 x 6 mm; petals 4 x 1 cm, when immature mostly green, maturing brighter yellowo-green, the basal claws of the six petals forming a cap covering stamens, the cap nearly white. Fruits up to 23 in a head; fruits to 4 x 2.5 cm, medium green, glossy, vaguely speckled, ripening yellow, when ripe pleasantly fragrant. Perhaps less widely grown than formerly, seems infrequent now. Hume, L. 425 Kauai BISH 1989-09-27
15 Artabotrys hexapetalus Koloa, Lawai Kai, Allerton Estate Preserved_Specimen 12' shrub; leaves glossy dark green, lighter green midvein, below duller pale green, yellow green midvein; immature fruit glossy whitish green Flynn, T.W. 5641 Kauai BISH 1994-10-14
16 Artabotrys hexapetalus Honolulu County. Oahu: Waimea Arboretum. 21deg38'N 158deg03'W Preserved_Specimen Liana; petalas yellow-green; fruits green. Miller, J.S. 7823 Oahu BISH 1992-07-28
17 Artabotrys hexapetalus ahupuaa of Halepuaa in the Puna district Growing near the Experimental Tree Planting Station. Preserved_Specimen Kubo, R. 32 Hawaii BISH 1979-05-10
18 Artabotrys hexapetalus Mrs. Foster's residence, Nuuanu area, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 2524 Oahu BISH 1909-04-01
19 Artabotrys hexapetalus Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 3103 Oahu BISH
20 Artabotrys hexapetalus Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 2524 Oahu BISH 1910-01-01
21 Artabotrys hexapetalus Honolulu, Manoa Valley Preserved_Specimen Climing shrub. Ripe fruit yellow, with the odor of apple. Wheeler, U.S.N. Oahu BISH 1945-03-27
22 Artabotrys hexapetalus South Kona District, at the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, Captain Cook Woody scrambler growing in a shady corner of the manager's back yard. Preserved_Specimen Untrimmed scrambler several meters long; flowers pendant, petals green; fruit in clusters, turning bright yellow when ripe, flesh soft. Staples, G.W. 617 Hawaii BISH 1990-05-19
23 Artabotrys hexapetalus East Maui, Haleakala National Park at Oheo. Road above Baseyard below junction to water tanks. Preserved_Specimen Osgood, M. Maui BISH 2021-02-25
24 Artabotrys hexapetalus Honolulu, Lunalilo Street Preserved_Specimen Titcomb, M. Oahu BISH 1935-04-08
25 Artabotrys hexapetalus Oahu Preserved_Specimen Wilder, G.P. Oahu BISH 1913-01-01
26 Artabotrys hexapetalus unknown Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. BISH
27 Artabotrys hexapetalus East Maui, Kipahulu, Haleakala National Park, near headquarters Climbing in trees. Associated vegetation: Java plum, scrub. Preserved_Specimen Vine; green, pointed, large leaves; fruits green turning yellow, clustered, unpalatable. Starr, F. 11221 Maui BISH 2000-11-22
28 Artabotrys hexapetalus Honolulu, East Manoa, Alani Dr, lot neighboring Sheila Conants property. Weedy vacant lot. Preserved_Specimen Vine, growing up and all around a ca. 30 ft tree. BISH staff Oahu BISH 2018-05-04
29 Artabotrys hexapetalus Waimea Valley, Hamakua District Naturalized in Aleurites forest on west side of valley floor, ca 1 mile from shore. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 3891 Hawaii BISH 1988-09-24
30 Artabotrys hexapetalus Waikane Valley, Koolaupoko, Koolau Mts Naturalized along Waikane Stream in Eugenia cumini-Albizia-Mangifera indica riparian community. Preserved_Specimen Climbing high into trees. Seedlings common. Nagata, K.M. 3787 Oahu BISH 1988-01-16
31 Artabotrys hexapetalus East Maui. Haleakala National Park at Oheo Road above Baseyard below junction to water tanks Preserved_Specimen Common name: climbing ilang-ilang Welton, P. 2550 Maui BISH 2021-02-17
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