Nyctanthes dentata Blume

A large shrub or small tree up to 10 m tall. Bark scabrous, grey. Branches spreading, rough, twigs tetragonal, scabrous. Leaves decussately opposite, ovate, (4-)6-12 cm x 2-6.5(-9) cm, cuneate to subcordate at base, acute or acuminate at apex, margin entire or with a few teeth, very scabrous above with bulbous-based hairs, pubescent beneath, shortly petiolate. Flowers in axillary or terminal, bracteate cymes consisting of 2-7-flowered corymbs, with quandrangular, slender peduncle, fragrant and sessile; calyx campanulate, about 5 mm long; corolla with a cylindric, orange tube and 5-8 spreading, imbricate and more or less contorted, white lobes, 5-15 mm long; stamens 2, inserted near the top of the corolla tube, stigma obscurely bifid. Fruit a cordate to almost orbicular flat capsule, about 2 cm across, brown, 2-celled, opening transversely from the apex. Seeds 1 per cell, compressed. The small genus Nyctanthes L. (1-2 species) is variously classified in the families Oleaceae and Verbenaceae, and sometimes together with the genus Dimetra Kerr. in a separate family Nyctanthaceae. Some cultivars with ornamental value have been described in India, for instance 'Karna-phool' and 'Seeya Shrinagar'.

The flowers open at sunset and usually wither after sunrise the next day.

In its native area night jasmine is found on rocky ground in dry hillsides, and as undergrowth in dry deciduous forest. It can be cultivated from sea-level up to 1500 m altitude at the equator, within a wide range of rainfall patterns, from seasonal to non-seasonal. It tolerates moderate shade.

N. arbor-tristis is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions all over the world. Night jasmine is often planted near Hindu temples in India and Sri Lanka, as well as in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Night jasmine is easily propagated by seeds or cuttings. It coppices readily and is not browsed by goats or cattle.

Diseases: A powdery mildew caused by Oidium spp., can do some damage to the foliage, but it can be controlled by dusting with sulphur. Plants are sometimes susceptible to leafspot and other diseases caused by fungi.

Boundary or barrier or support: It is also planted in hedges.

Tannin or dyestuff: Night jasmine certainly came into use as a dye early. The bright orange corolla tubes of the flowers contain a saffron-yellow colouring matter, which was formerly used for dyeing silk, sometimes in conjunction with safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), and indigo (Indigofera spp.). Locally the dye is also used for dyeing cotton cloth and as a cheap substitute for saffron in colouring the robes of Buddhist priests. For dyeing, fabrics are immersed in a decoction of the corolla tubes. They impart a beautiful orange, yellow or golden colour like saffron, but the colour is easily washed out, and will fade rapidly in the sun. To make the colour more permanent, lime juice or alum is added to the dye bath. Then the colour is moderately resistant to light, soap, alkali and acid. The bark may be used as a tanning material, and the leaves are sometimes used for polishing wood and ivory. Essential oils: The essential oil in the fragrant flowers, which is similar to the oil in jasmine, is used as perfume. Medicine: In India, Indonesia (Java) and Malaysia, the flowers are used medicinally to provoke menstruation. The bitter leaves are useful as cholagogue, laxative, diaphoretic and diuretic, and an extract is given to children for the expulsion of roundworms and threadworms. An anti-flammatory activity of the leaves of night jasmine has been recorded recently, and an insecticidal effect of an extract from shade-dried leaves of night jasmine has been reported. Powdered seeds ameliorate scalp scurf. Timber: The wood is sometimes used for boarding. Fuel: The wood is sometimes used as firewood.