Champa, champaca, Magnolia champaca

Champa or champaca (Magnolia champaca, family: Magnoliaceae) is a medium or large-sized evergreen tree with silky young shoot, grows to 50 m or taller. It is very popular in Bangladesh and India, especially in the Great Bengal area. This beautiful fragrant flowering tree is also native to South and Southeast Asia.

Leaves are simple, lanceolate, light green, smooth and shiny above; 16-25 cm long and 5 cm wide. The petiole is about 2.5 cm long. Strongly scented flowers are solitary, showy, pale yellow or golden, 3-7 cm across. Petals 15, free, acute at the end. Blooming season is summer (April-May) and it continues up to June-July. Propagation is caused by seeds.

A bunch of fruits rise from single stick. Seeds are dark brown or blackish red. 

Flower, fruit and leaf are used for skin diseases, round worms and snake bites. Decoction of leaves is analgesic and diaphoretic.

A rare variety of white color magnolia champaca is also found in Bangladesh─Magnolia×alba, also known as the White champaca.

As a very common ornamental plant it is planted in parks and gardens of Bangladesh. In Bangla, it is also called Shornochapa for its golden-colored flowers.