Aglaia odorata


Aglaia odorata is a species of plant in the family Meliaceae. It is found in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and possibly Laos.
It is occasionally sold as a house plant under the name "Chinese perfume plant." It can be grown outdoors in USDA zones 9 and 10.

Description

Aglaia odorata is a small tree that retains its green leaves throughout the year, and can reach a height of 2 to 5 meters. It is multiple branched and its leaves are 5 to 12 centimeters long. It has small golden yellow raceme oval-shaped flowers with 6 petals. The fruit is red, about one centimeter long and egg-shaped, containing one to two seeds.

Uses

Traditional medicinal use

Many parts of Aglaia odorata - roots, leaves, flowers and branches - can be used as medicine.
The dried flowers can be used to produce perfume for clothes and mixed into cigarettes.

Herbicide

Aglaia odorata can be used as an organic herbicide to control grass and weeds in fields, such as rice fields and maize fields.