Gardenia grandiflora Lour.

Usually an evergreen, erect shrub up to 2 m tall, but small trees up to 12 m tall have been recorded. Roots strong. Stem up to 10 cm in diameter, usually much branched. Leaves opposite, elliptic to oblong-obovate 5-10(-15) cm x 2-4.5(-7) cm, cuneate at base, acute or acuminate at apex, shortly petiolate and with stipules connate in pairs. Flowers large, solitary in the axils of the upper leaves, (sub)sessile, very fragrant; calyx 5-8-lobed, persistent corolla white, later yellow-ish, tube ca. 3 cm, lobes 5-8, spreading; anthers as many as corolla lobes, linear and sessile, ovary inferior, style long, stigmas capitate. Fruit a leathery, ovoid or ellipsoid berry, 1.5-3(-4.5) cm long, 5-ribbed, crowned with the persistent corolla white, yellow to red at maturity, containing many seeds. Plants cultivated as ornamental in South-East Asia are often double-flowered, with petaloid or poorly develop stamens and sterile ovary. Severals cultivars are sold as garden plants, for instance the large-flowered cultivars ' August Beauty', 'Florida' and 'Fortuniani', or dwarf plants such as 'Radicans'. 'Mystery' is a tall cultivar, used as shade tree.

Plants may start flowering as soon as one year after planting.

It thrives best on properly drained, but not too dry soils, with pH 6-7.

Cape jasmine is originally a species from temperate climates. In tropical areas it grows well, at altitudes of 400-1200 m. In the tropical lowland it flowers poorly or not at all. It prefers sunny places.

G. jasminoides is widely cultivated in the tropics and subtropics, and sometimes naturalized. In South-East Asia it is commonly planted in gardens.

The plant is usually propagated by cuttings or by marcotting; the best time is soon after flowering, and younger branches should be used. Cattle manure or compost should be applied regularly.

Regular pruning after flowering is advisable.

Pests: The common pest is mealy bug, often followed by sooty mould, covering the leaves with a greyish-black layer. This pest can be controlled by spraying with a kerosine emulsion containing derris or nicotine.

Ornamental: Cape jasmine is often planted as an ornamental. Boundary or barrier or support: This species sometimes used for hedges.

Tannin or dyestuff: The pulp of the fruit is used in China and Japan for colouring food yellow. Some extracts are commercially available in Japan; they are used to colour boiled beans, fish eggs, hot cakes, liquor, sweet, ices, noodles, candies and imitation crab. Occasionally textiles are also dyed yellow or scarlet, although the colour is rather impermanent. Essential oils: The fragrant flowers are used in perfumery. Medicine: Several parts od the plant are used medicinally. The roots are used against headache, dyspepsia, nervous disorders, and fever; the leaves are applied in febrifugous poultices; the fruits are used against jundice and diseases of kidneys and lungs. Other products: In China the fragrant flowers are used for flavouring tea.