Kanak champa (Pterospermum acerifolium)

Pterospermum acerifolium, kanak champa, is a tall tree with huge, maple-like leaves that are silvery-white beneath and large, creamy, intensely fragrant flowers that open at night. It is planted along avenues and in temple gardens across India. In some regions its broad leaves serve as plates.

Botanical name: Pterospermum acerifolium (L.) Willd.
Family: Malvaceae
Tamil: Tadasu
Hindi: Kanak champa
Parts used: Flowers (scent)
Habit: Maple-leaf night flower; champa is a shop word
Last updated: 2026-10-25

How to recognise Kanak champa

The leaves are very large, roughly round to maple-lobed, dark green above and covered in silvery-white felt beneath. When wind flips them, the whole tree flashes silver.

Flower buds are long, brown and velvety, like cigars. They open at dusk into large white to cream flowers with five long, narrow petals and a heady scent.

It flowers in the hot season, roughly March to June, and the fallen petals scent the ground beneath for days.

The fruit is a woody, five-angled capsule full of winged seeds. Pterospermum means “winged seed”.

Champa is a shared name: frangipani, Plumeria, and the golden champak, Magnolia champaca, are completely different trees.

Traditional use of Kanak champa

Temple and household

The fragrant flowers are offered in temples and kept in rooms and clothes for their scent.

Indian temple and household practice

Leaf plates

In parts of eastern India and Nepal the large leaves are used as plates and to wrap food.

Eastern Indian and Nepali practice

Modern notes on Kanak champa

The flowers have been studied for their volatile compounds, which explain the scent, and extracts appear in laboratory papers. There are no established medical uses.

It is valued as an ornamental and shade tree in Indian cities.

Kanak champa safety

The flowers are smelled and offered, not eaten.

Ecology and sourcing

It is native to the sub-Himalayan forests of India, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar, and is planted widely elsewhere.

Its night-opening, scented flowers are visited by moths and bats.

It grows into a large upright tree with heavy leaves, so it needs room and is better in parks than in narrow streets.

Related plants

Also in Malvaceae

Questions about Kanak champa

Is Kanak champa champa?

Champa names several trees. This is kanak champa; frangipani and golden champak are different.

What older names does Pterospermum acerifolium go by?

Pentapetes acerifolia.

Why are the leaves white underneath?

They are covered in dense silvery hairs.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.