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
Gardenia resinifera Roth. | Wight vol.2, plate 575/1843 as Gardenia lucida | BHL
| Family | Rubiaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | India |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Brilliant gardenia |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Gardenia lucida |
| Confidence level | high |