Gardenia resinifera Roth.

Frost-tender, unarmed shrub or small tree with shiny, oblong leaves with resinous buds and solitary, almost terminal, large, pure white, fragrant flowers.  [Don].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘A native of Chittagong and various other parts of India.  It is in flower and fruit the greater part of the year.’ [Roxburgh FI vol.i, p.707/1832].  Figured in Wight vol.2, plate 575/1843.

‘Weight, 39 Ibs. per cubic foot.  Wood useful for turning; it is made into combs.  It gives a gum resin from wounds in the bark.  This gum is hard, opaque, yellow, greenish or brown, with a strong smell, and is used in the treatment of cutaneous diseases and to keep off flies and worms.’  [Gamble – A Manual of Indian Timbers p.228/1881].

First cultivated in Europe in 1819.  [JD].

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.507/1850].  It was requested of Kew Gardens on 1st February, 1849 [MP A2933-1, p.177] and of John Lindley on the same date [MP A2933-1, p.182a].  Either could be the source.

Notes

Published Feb 08, 2010 - 10:11 AM | Last updated Jul 31, 2010 - 02:58 PM


The line drawing shows oblong-lanceolate leaves, single flower and details of flower parts.  Wight pl.575, 1843.

Gardenia resinifera Roth. | Wight vol.2, plate 575/1843 as Gardenia lucida | BHL

More details about Gardenia resinifera Roth.
Family Rubiaceae
Category
Region of origin

India

Synonyms
  • Gardenia lucida Roxb.
Common Name

Brilliant gardenia

Name in the Camden Park Record

Gardenia lucida 

Confidence level high