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Gardenia is a genus of in the coffee family, Rubiaceae, native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, Madagascar, Pacific Islands, and Australia.
The genus was named by Carl Linnaeus and John Ellis after Alexander Garden (1730–1791), a Scotland naturalist. The type species is Gardenia jasminoides, as first published by Ellis in 1761.Ellis J. Gardenia; in Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. 51(2): 935, t. 23 ( 1761) nom. conserv.
The leaf arrangement is typically opposite or verticillate may (arranged in whorls). Leaves vary by species; many species are glossy with a distinctly coriaceous (or leathery) texture such as that seen in Gardenia jasminoides, whilst in others, leaves may be thin and chartaceous (or paper-like).
The flowers, particularly in the species most commonly grown in gardens, may be large and showy and white, cream or pale yellow in color, with a pleasant and strong, sometimes overpowering scent that may be more noticeable at night, something quite typical of moth-pollinated plants.
Gardenia flowers are hermaphrodite (or bisexual) with each individual flower having both male and female structures (that is, having both and ). The flower on the plant are solitary or in small terminal clusters or fascicles. The flowers vary across species, but most commonly have a funnel- or cylindrical-shaped corolla tube, normally elongated and narrow distally, surrounded by 5-12 or more lobes () contorted or arranged in an overlapping pattern.
Many of the native gardenias of the Pacific Islands and elsewhere in the paleotropics contribute towards the production of a diverse array of natural products. Methoxy group and flavonols, flavones, and accumulate on the vegetative and floral buds as yellow to brown droplets of secreted resins. Many focused Phytochemistry studies of these bud exudates have been published, including a population-level study of two rare, Sympatry species of Fiji, Gardenia candida and Gardenia grievei. The evolutionary significance of the Natural gum and resins of gardenias in attracting or repelling invertebrate , has yet to be explored by ecologists.
''Plants of the World Online'' recognises 128 species in this genus, as follows:
Gardenia jasminoides (syn. G. grandiflora, G. florida) is cultivated as a house plant. This species can be difficult to grow because it originated in warm humid tropical areas. It demands high humidity to thrive, and bright (but not direct) light. It flourishes in with good drainage and thrives on temperatures of during the day and in the evening. developed especially for gardenias are available. G. jasminoides grows no larger than 18 inches in height and width when grown indoors. In climates where it can be grown outdoors, it can attain a height of 6 feet. If water touches the flowers, they will turn brown. (1979). 9780895770523, Reader's Digest Association. ISBN 9780895770523
In Eastern Asia, Gardenia jasminoides is called (梔子]]) in China, (치자) in Korea, and (梔子]]) in Japan. Its fruit is used as a yellow dye, used on fabric and food (including the Korean mung bean jelly called hwangpomuk). Its fruits are also used in traditional Chinese medicine for their clearing, calming, and cooling properties.
In France, gardenias are the flower traditionally worn by men as boutonnière when in white tie. In The Age of Innocence, Edith Wharton suggests it was customary for upper-class men from New York City to wear a gardenia in their buttonhole during the Gilded Age.
Sigmund Freud remarked to the poet H.D. that gardenias were his favorite flower.
In tiki culture, Donn Beach, aka Don the Beachcomber, frequently wore a fresh lei of gardenias almost every day at his tiki bars, allegedly spending $7,800 for flowers over the course of four years in 1938. He named one of his drinks the mystery gardenia cocktail. Trader Vic frequently used the gardenia as a flower garnish in his tiki bar, such as in the scorpion bowl and outrigger tiara cocktails.
Several species occur in Hawaii, where gardenias are known as nau or nānū.
Hattie McDaniel famously wore gardenias in her hair when she accepted an Academy Award, the first for an African American, for Gone with the Wind. Mo'Nique Hicks later wore gardenias in her hair when she won her Oscar, as a tribute to McDaniel.
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