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Gardenia jasminoides J.Ellis
| Family Name: | Rubiaceae |
| Synonyms: | Gardenia angusta, Gardenia florida, Gardenia jasminoides var. fortuneana |
| Common Name: | Cape Jasmine, 栀子花 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | China, Japan and Taiwan |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A woody shrub with attractive foliage and fragrant, conspicuous flowers, able to grow to 0.5 - 2 m tall and with a spread of 0.5 - 2 m wide. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green and glossy leaves having an entire margin and are arranged in whorls of 3 along the stem, measuring about 10 cm long. |
| Flowers | The solitary flowers are fragrant and white, measuring about 8 cm wide. |
| Fruit | Small, oval fruit which turns from green to orange when ripen. |
| Cultivation | This plant is ideally grown under partial shade and in fertile, soil with good drainage with the the roots keep moist at all times, do not let the soil dry out. The plant can be grown in the ground or in containers. |
| Etymology | Genus Gardenia is named after Dr Alexander Garden ( 1730 - 1791), who was an Anglo-American botanist. Species jasminoides means jasmine-like. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Others: The fruits are used in Japan and China for dyeing food yellow. Some extracts, commerically available in Japan are used on a wide range of foods such as boiled beans, imitation crab and candies. The colouring matter in the fruits contain glycoside, a compound similar to another compound crocetin which is found in Saffron (Crocus sativus). The dye is also used to colour textiles yellow or scarlet. The flowers also contain fragrant essential oils and are used in perfumery. The are also used in China for flavouring tea. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage, Fragrant (Flowers) |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Hedge / Screening |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flowering Period Remarks | The plant tends to flower during the rainy season due to cooler temperatures. |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Orange, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Brown |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29907 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 4216 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
