Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree, Shrub |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Endemic to North Eastern Queensland, Australia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Shrub or treelet up to 6 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves green, tend to crowd at the ends of branched twigs, measuring about 1 - 3.5 cm long and 0.6 - 2 cm wide, petiole measuring about 1 - 3 cm long. |
| Flowers | Solitary fragrant white flowers, measuring about 2 cm wide. Male flower has a well developed ovary and it terminates in a large white style and stigma which exceeds the corolla tube slightly. Female flower has 3 stigmas and found along the upper style which comes out about 0.5 - 0.7 cm from the corolla tube. |
| Fruit | Fruit is globular in shape and measures about 0.9 - 1.6 cm wide, contains seeds which are shaped like a circular disc. |
| Habitat | Can be found in open eucalypt forest and monsoon forest. |
| Etymology | Genus Gardenia is named after Dr. Alexander Garden (1730 - 1791) , an American doctor who also studied plants and animals. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: Used for toothache by Aborigines. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Fruits, Fragrant (Flowers) |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Fragrant / Aromatherapy Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Drought / Semi-Deciduous |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Orange |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31314 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5711 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
