Jasminum sambac

Jasminum sambac (syn. Nyctanthes sambac) is a species of jasmine native to southwestern and southern Asia, in the Philippines, India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

Common names include Arabian Jasmine, Full (فل) (Arabic), Bel/Beli (Bengali), Mogra (Hindi and Marathi), Mallikā (Sanskrit), Kampupot, Melati (Malay and Indonesian Language), Sampaguita (Filipino) Kampupot (Tagalog), Mallepuvvu (Telugu), Mallikaipu (Tamil), dundu Mallige (Kannada) and Kaliyan (Urdu).

The botanic name sambac is derived from a misapplication of the Sanskrit name champaka, which refers to the fragrant flowered shrub Michelia champaca.

It is an evergreen vine or shrub reaching up to 1-3 m tall. The leaves are opposite or in whorls of three, simple (not pinnate, like most other jasmines), ovate, 4-12.5 cm long and 2-7.5 cm broad.

The flowers are produced in clusters of 3-12 together, strongly scented, with a white corolla 2-3 cm diameter with 5-9 lobes.

The flowers open at night, and close in the morning. The fruit is a purple-black berry 1 cm in diameter.

It is widely grown throughout the tropics as an ornamental plant for its strongly scented flowers. Numerous cultivars have been selected, including some with fully-double flowers such as the cultivar "Grand Duke of Tuscany".

In the Philippines the flower is known as sampaguita and was adopted by the government as its national flower in 1937. Filipinos string the flowers into leis, corsages and crowns and distill its oils and sell them in stores, streets, and outside churches.

The garlands may be used to welcome guests, or as an offering or adornment in religious altars. Its oil is believed to be a cure for headache.

In Cambodia, the flower is used as an offering to the Buddha. Since 96.5% of Cambodians are Buddhists, it is widely known throughout the country.

The season of the flower begins in June, the month that provides the most rain. During this month, many civilians thread the flower buds onto a wooden needle to be presented to the Buddha.

In Bengali, the flower is known as beli and is extremely popular for its sweet fragrance. It is used to make garlands to adorn women's hair. And in South India, too, they are strung into thick strands and worn as a hair adornment.

In Hawaii, the flower is known as pikake, and is used to make fragrant leis. In China, the flower is processed and used as the main ingredient in jasmine tea.



Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sampaguita


See Also: Birthday Flowers, Flowers Gifts, Flowers Online, Sending Flowers