What is the Arabian Jasmine shrub?
Known by the scientific name of Jasminum sambac, this species is native to tropical Asia. However, it is cultivated in Southeast Asia and the South. Furthermore, it has been naturalised in Maldives, Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and southern Florida. This plant is a small shrub growing from 0.5 m to 3 m in height. It is highly cultivated for its fragrant flowers, and these flowers may be used for perfumes and teas. In Pakistan and India, it is referred to as Mogra.
Close-up of Arabian Jasmine
Source: Pinterest
Arabian Jasmine: Quick facts
| Common Name | Arabian Jasmine |
| Botanical Name | Jasminum sambac |
| Other common Names | Mogra |
| Family | Oleaceae |
| General Description | This plant is an evergreen shrub that reaches a maximum height of 3m. It is highly variable and does not bear seeds. |
| Flowers | The flowers of Arabian Jasmine bloom throughout the year. They are produced in clusters of 3 or 12 at the end of the branches. The flowers open up at night. |
| Leaves | Leaves are ovate and around 4 to 12.5 cm long and 2 to 7 cm wide. The arrangement of leaves is in three opposite directions of each other. |
| Fruit/Berries | The fruits are berries of purple or black colour that are 1 cm in diameter. |
Arabian Jasmine: Cultivation
The fragrance is a distant feature of this shrub, and it is widely grown in the tropics as an ornamental plant. Arabian Jasmine is cultivated as buds in the morning and harvested based on colour, size, and firmness. The buds should be exclusively white. It survives well in temperate regions and cannot tolerate cold. Numerous cultivators of this shrub are known for the shape of the leaves and petals.
- Maid of Orleans: Flowers that have a single layer of five or more oval-shaped petals
- Belle of India: The flowers have single or double layers of elongated petals
- Mysore Mallige: Similar to the Belle of India, the petals are shorter, and the fragrance is strong.
- Grand Duke of Tuscany: Flowers have a doubled petal count and resemble miniature white roses.
- Arabian Nights: There is a double layer of petals, but they are smaller in size.
Arabian Jasmine: Distribution
This plant is native to the eastern Himalayas, Bhutan, and India. However, it has been introduced in tropical areas such as China, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and tropical America. This shrub appears in forests and post-naturalisation in disturbed areas, secondary forests, coastal areas, and abandoned gardens.
Arabian Jasmine: Ecology
In China, the shrub flowers from May to August and bears fruits from July to September. In Hawaii, the flowers peak from April to August, with few flowers in the other months. Flowering depends on the location and weather the shrub resides in. The shrub grows at 800 m in rich clay or sandy soils with irrigation. The plant best thrives at pH 6 to 7.5. The shrub requires good drainage as waterlogging kills the plant.
Pictorial of the Arabian Jasmine shrub
Source: Pinterest
Arabian Jasmine: Significance
The Arabian Jasmine shrub has a critical consideration in many countries.
- Philippines: It is the national flower of the Philippines. The flowers are often stringed into corsages or crowns and are even offered and sold as garlands. The garlands are bestowed as an honor and used to adorn religious images or processions.
- Indonesia: It is one of the three national flowers of Indonesia. The reverence of this flower is due to its importance since ancient times. It is considered a sacred flower, indicating purity, simplicity, and sincerity. It is a hardy shrub during wedding ceremonies.
- Cambodia: The flower is used as an offering to Buddha.
- India: It is a sacred flower used in meditation, worship, and decorations. It is offered during Hindu religious ceremonies.
- The Middle East: It is presented during the first birthday and made as thick garlands or hair ornaments.
Arabian Jasmine made into a garland for hair ornament.
Source: Pinterest
Arabian Jasmine: Propagation
Arabian Jasmine is best propagating by cuttings and following these steps:
- Cut the stem around six inches long directly below the leaf.
- Remove any leaves on the lower half of the cutting.
- Dip the end that was cut into a rooting hormone
- Use a stick to make a hole in the moist soil.
- Now the cut should be placed in the hole.
- One should place a plastic bag over the cutting to retain the moisture. One should lift the bag every ten days to allow airflow.
- When new growth appears, the bag should be removed, and the plant should be shifted to an area allowing bright sunlight.
Arabian Jasmine care
Maintaining Arabian Jasmine is relatively simple. The shrub requires warm temperatures, sunlight, and high humidity levels. However, this plant can be grown well in containers if the weather is cooler.
- Light: Full to partial sunlight is required.
- Soil: Loose soil that is evenly moist is required
- Water: This shrub requires healthy water to keep the soil moist.
- Temperature and Humidity: The plant survives in warm climates. Because this plant is tropical, the plant prefers high humidity.
- Fertiliser: As this plant grows well, a high-quality fertiliser will support its growth.
Arabian Jasmine: Risk factors
Because of its fast growth, it is invasive in non-native places. It is highly adaptive to this environment and long-lived. This shrub can be a threat to native species of other plants.
Arabian Jasmine: Uses
In food and beverages, it is used as an additive. Additionally, Arabian Jasmine is also used to make essential oils. Some have even reported its uses for traditional medicine.
A planted shrub
Source: Pinterest
Arabian Jasmine is highly grown for their use as an ornamental plant and its fragrance. It is an evergreen shrub plant that can increase. It is specifically known for its fragrant flowers that are pink or white. The flower also boasts its importance in many cultures, often used as offerings for religious ceremonies. However, its weed can be a problem for other plants.
FAQs
Which country is the largest producer of Jasmine?
An Egyptian village north of Cairo is known for producing the highest amount of jasmine. More than fifty thousand workers work to cultivate jasmine and make use of it as essential oil or fragrance.
What is the difference between Jasmine and Arabian Jasmine?
The flowers of jasmine are white and have a mild fragrance. At the same time, the flowers of Arabian Jasmine are pearly white and have a strong scent.
What is the best season for this plant?
The summer season is when the flower blooms and may continue all-year round if warmer temperatures continue.
What is the lowest temperature this plant can tolerate?
Arabian Jasmine best thrives at 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. The temperature should not fall below 5 degrees Celsius for the plant to survive.
Is the Arabian Jasmine plant toxic?
No, the plant is not toxic, and it is pet-friendly as well.