Cape Jasmine
(Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis)
Cape Jasmine
(Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis)
This plant originates from China and Japan. It is most commonly found growing wild in Vietnam, Southern China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Myanmar, India, and Bangladesh. Gardenia is often cultivated as an ornamental plant or a green hedge whose flowers are fragrant. Additionally, gardenia can be used to add fragrance to tea and perfume.
This plant can be found in mountainous areas at an altitude of 400 m a.s.l. and can fruit optimally at an altitude of about 900 m a.s.l.. It prefers acidic soil conditions with a pH between 5.0–6.5.
Stem: Round, woody, and branched.
Leaves: Waxy, arranged opposite or in whorls of three, thick, and smooth. The shape is elliptic or obovate (inverted egg-shaped), with pointed tips and bases, entire margins, a shiny surface, 4.5–13 cm long, 2–5 cm wide, and dark green in color.
Flowers: Solitary, fragrant, short-stalked, white in color, located at the tip of the twigs.
Fruit: Ovoid (egg-shaped), small, with a thin skin, green turning orange when ripe, and many-seeded.
Propagation is done by stem cuttings and air layering.
Place the seedlings in a location with good drainage and bright light.
Fruit: Treats fever, liver inflammation, inflammation of the bladder mucous membrane, mastitis (breast inflammation), bloody urination, bloody cough, sore throat, canker sores (sariawan), toothache, dysentery, and swollen and painful eyes.
Leaves: Treats fever, shortness of breath, high blood pressure, and canker sores (sariawan).
Saponins, flavonoids, polyphenols, crocetin, crocin, scandoside, tannins, essential oils, imperatorin, geniposide, iridoids, linalool, syringic acid, vanillic acid, and kaempferol.
Socfindo Conservation. 2023. Kacapiring. https://www.socfindoconservation.co.id/plant/399 (06-04-2023)