Jasmine: An Overview
Have you ever seen chameli flowers or raat rani in your garden or the nearby area? Do you know that jasmine flowers are known as raat rani? But why? Mostly jasmine flowers are white coloured but some are yellow too. Do you know how many types of jasmine there are? You might be surprised to know that there are more than 200 varieties of jasmine. Jasminum is the genus of jasmine. Do you think there is any importance in jasmine? Jasmine has a wide variety of importance, it is used in medicine, such as antibacterial properties, antispasmodic, or also used in many beauty products. To know more about jasmine, continue reading this article!!
What is the Botanical Name?
A botanical name is defined as the scientific name given to a particular species of plant. And these names are given by the International code of botanical nomenclature, a universally accepted system of nomenclature. These binomial names consist of two words - genus and specific epithet. A botanical name is essential because a plant is known by different names in different places, so a botanical name subsides misunderstanding and misidentification of a particular plant species because of the common name.
What is the Flower of Jasmine?
Jasmine is a white colour flower that has a sweet fragrance. It is cultivated in large amounts for shining leaves and clusters of flowers. Jasmine is a Persian word meaning gift from god. It is a genus of vines and shrubs and belongs to the olive family.
Types of Jasmine
There are many varieties of jasmine plants. Some of the important varieties are given below:
Common Jasmine - These flowers are widely cultivated in India in the summer season and have five petals and a potent scent. These are deciduous climbers and are also known as summer jasmine.
Arabian Jasmine - These are perennial plants and have a sweet smell. These flowers are white and have multiple layers. These jasmine plants require temperate conditions to grow well.
Yellow Jasmine - This jasmine plant is native to the Himalayan region and grows well in cold environments. Their flowers are yellow-coloured and funnel-shaped.
Star Jasmine - These are also known as false jasmine because the flower does not initially belong to the Jasminum family. These are white coloured flowers.
White Jasmine - These flowers are usually grown for aesthetic purposes. It is a type of evergreen jasmine.
Cape Jasmine - It is also a kind of false jasmine. These varieties prosper well in warm environments and require a lot of maintenance and also have an enchanting fragrance.
The Night-Blooming Jasmine - These flowers are also known as raatrani in India, they can grow in subtropical climates as well as indoors in colder climates. They have beautiful flowers and a distinct smell.
Wild Jasmine - These wild jasmines do not have any fragrance, also do not require much attention to grow, and are yellow, and blossom in groups. They grow slower than other jasmine plants
Royal Jasmine - Leaves of royal jasmine are used in herbal medicine and also cultivated for ornamental purposes. They can grow well in temperate or subtropical environments. They have white coloured flowers.
Primrose Jasmine is a kind of evergreen variety of jasmine. And these flowers are yellow.
Scientific Classification of Jasmine
Jasmine belongs to the kingdom Plantae, Magnoliophyta is the division, Magnoliopsida is the class, Order is the Lamiales, and the jasmine family is Oleaceae Jasminum is the genus. There are various species of jasmine. So, the botanical name of the commonest species is Jasmine auriculatum.
Importance of Jasmine
There are many benefits of jasmine plants. Some of the benefits are given below:
It Neutralises and Purifies the Air - These are natural purifiers, with good fragrance. The gentle smell of jasmine flowers drifting in the indoor air neutralises and eliminates bad odour.
Antiseptic Properties - Many species of jasmine have antiseptic properties, used to heal wounds. Sometimes, it also helps to eliminate minor respiratory infections such as colds and coughs.
Weight Loss - It also maintains our metabolism. Add a few flowers of jasmine in tea to avail the proper benefits.
Helpful in Muscle Spasms - It is used in muscle pain as it is a natural antispasmodic. It is used to relax muscles.
Menstruation Pain - It also helps to reduce menstrual pain.
Important Questions
1. Where does jasmine grow best?
Ans: It depends on the species of jasmine. But they grow well in partial shade to full sun areas. Summer varieties of jasmine grow best in sunny areas and winter varieties of jasmine grow best in shaded areas.
2. Is the jasmine plant annual or perennial?
Ans: Some species of jasmine are annual means that can grow only once a year whereas some species are perennial means that can grow the whole of the year.
3. What is special about the jasmine flower?
Ans: Jasmine is more famous for its strong fragrance. These flowers have a strong, sweet smell and are used to produce soaps, lotions, and perfumes.
Interesting Facts
Wild jasmine tree or plant can live for 15-20 years.
Jasmine releases an intoxicating perfume at night that's why known as the queen of the night in India.
Jasmine is used to symbolise many meanings such as purity in religious ceremonies, also happiness, and affection.
Indonesia, Pakistan, and some other countries have jasmine flowers as the national symbol.
In some areas, jasmine is also considered a symbol of good luck.
Key Features
In this article, we have studied jasmine flowers, their types, and their importance.
Jasmine has more than 200 varieties and we have discussed some varieties in our article.
Jasmine belongs to the Jasminum genus and Oleaceae family.
Practice Questions
How fast does jasmine grow?
Should jasmine be pruned?
Is jasmine growing in shades?
Is jasmine toxic to humans?
What does jasmine mean spiritually?
FAQs on Jasmine Botanical Name
1. Describe the distribution and habitat of jasmine.
There are various types of jasmine plants. Distribution varies according to their habitat. The Jasmine plant is native to Africa, Australia, and Eurasia. A large number of diversities of the jasmine plant are present in southeast Asia and south Asia. Jasminum polyanthum also known as white jasmine is a jasmine plant that is an invasive weed in Australia. Many species of jasmine have been neutralised in Mediterranean Europe. Spanish jasmine was originally from western south Asia and Iran.
2. Explain the cultural importance of jasmine.
The cultural importance of jasmine is explained below:
Jasmine is considered one of the purest flowers and is used in many rituals.
It is used in religious ceremonies, marriages, and festivals.
Jasmine flowers are used to make a garland.
Jasmines flowers are used at entrances of the temple, in major business, or on major thoroughfares.
Jasmine is also used as a national symbol in many countries, such as Syria, Hawaii, Indonesia, and Pakistan.
Jasmine flowers are also considered a symbol of motherhood in Thailand.
3. Explain the characteristics of jasmine.
There are mainly two types of jasmine plants: evergreen and deciduous. Evergreen plants are those whose leaves are green all over the year, deciduous plants are those whose leaves fall in autumn. Most flowers are white, but some may be yellow or reddish. They have mostly cymose floral inflorescence, these flowers may have 4-9 petals, four ovules, and two locales. They generally have two stamens with very short filaments and have bell-shaped calyxes. Most berries are fruits of jasmine.
