Telosma Cordata - Chinese Violet (Pakalana) Despite its Hawaiian name of pakalana, this is not a Hawaiian plant. It is also called Chinese violet, but it isn’t a violet, either. Its fragrance is similar, though. Pakalana is grown for its fragrant flowers and has made a home for itself in our gardens. Pakalana (Telosma cordata) is native to India and China, though many people think of it as a Hawaiian plant. But like plumeria and pikake, it is neither Hawaiian nor a Polynesian introduced plant. Chinese immigrants probably introduced it to Hawaii. Pakalana is a favored lei flower because of its sweet fragrance. An ancient Chinese tale recounts the mystic aromatic powers of pakalana: Once upon a time, a troop of warriors seized an enemy castle. But at dusk, a sweet-smelling scent came floating through the air. Aggressive feelings waned as the warriors inhaled this aroma, and by the next morning, they were forced to abandon the castle and retreat. Maybe this is a good lei to give to an angry spouse after a particularly nasty fight. Pakalana is most fragrant at night. Analysis of the fragrance revealed that its main compounds are geraniol (found in roses), and β -ionone (found in violets). The highly diffusive property of β-ionone is responsible for spreading the aroma of pakalana and makes it an ideal flowering vine to plant near a bedroom window or on a lanai.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 01:09:06 +0000