Mock orange

Mock Orange is a small tree that is often planted in hedges. It is native to South East Asia and can grow up to 25' high. It is also known as: Chinese box, Satinwood, Orange jessamine (France), Kamuning (Philippines), Kamini marchula (India), Kemoening (Indonesia), Gekkitsu (Japan), Thanaka (Myanmar), and Kemuning putih (Malaysia).

The leaves of the Mock Orange are glossy, dark green and similar in oval size of about 1"-2" long. The small white flowers grow in clusters and have a sweet citrus fragrance. The flowers typically bloom in summer and fall. The shrub has red berries that are not edible.

Mock Orange can withstand wind and salt.

Traditional Cultural and Medicinal Usages

• Mock orange is popular with lei makers in Hawai'i as the long lasting leaves are often threaded between flowers for some green contrast color in a lei
• Leaves used to scent tea (Malaysia)
• Plant used for stomach aches, swelling, thrombosis (Nepal)
• Wood used for making canes
• Essential oil from wood and roots used in perfume and "Thanaka powder" (Myanmar)