21 April 2012

Arabian jasmine


The scientific name               ::   Jasminum sambac   

Kingdom                             :: Plantae
Order                                  :: Lamiales
Family                                 :: Oleaceae
Tribe                                   :: Jasmineae
Genus                                 :: Jasminum
Species                               :: J. sambac

Description                          ::   Jasminum sambac is an evergreen vine or shrub reaching up to 0.5 to 3 m (1.6 to 9.8 ft) tall.The species is highly variable, possibly a result of spontaneous mutation, natural hybridization, and autopolyploidy. Only a few varieties reproduce by seed in the wild. Cultivated Jasminum sambac generally do not bear seeds and the plant is reproduced solely by cuttings, layering, marcotting, and other methods of asexual propagation.The leaves are ovate, 4 to 12.5 cm (1.6 to 4.9 in) long and 2 to 7.5 cm (0.79 to 3.0 in) wide. The phyllotaxy is opposite or in whorls of three, simple (not pinnate, like most other jasmines).They are smooth (glabrous) except for a few hairs at the venation on the base of the leaf.The flowers bloom all throughout the year and are produced in clusters of 3 to 12 together at the ends of branches.They are strongly scented, with a white corolla 2 to 3 cm (0.79 to 1.2 in) in diameter with 5 to 9 lobes. The flowers open at night (usually around 6 to 8 in the evening), and close in the morning, a span of 12 to 20 hours.The fruit is a purple to black berry 1 cm (0.39 in) in diameter.

Cultivation                           ::  The sweet, heady fragrance of Jasminum sambac is its distinct feature. It is widely grown throughout the tropics from the Arabian peninsula to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands as an ornamental plant and for its strongly scented flowers.Numerous cultivars currently exist. Typically, the flowers are harvested as buds during early morning. The flower buds are harvested on basis of color, as firmness and size are variable depending on the weather. The buds have to be white, as green ones may not emit the characteristic fragrance they are known for.Open flowers are generally not harvested as a larger amount of them is needed to extract oils and they lose their fragrance sooner.


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