Garlic allergy

Gardenia jasminoides, also known as the gardenia, cape jasmine, cape jessamine, danh-danh, or jasmin, is an evergreen flowering plant of the coffee family Rubiaceae. It originated in Asia and is most commonly found growing wild in Vietnam, Southern China, Taiwan, Japan, Myanmar, and India.

Description

The Gardenia jasminoides is a small shrub, growing to a height of 2-3 meters. The leaves are broad, dark green and glossy with a leathery texture. The flowers are solitary or in small clusters, white or pale yellow, with a tubular-based corolla with 5-12 lobes (petals) from 5-12 cm diameter. The flowers are highly aromatic and bloom in the spring and summer.

Cultivation

Gardenia jasminoides is widely used as a garden plant in warm temperate and subtropical climates. It has been in cultivation in China for at least a thousand years, and was introduced to English gardens in the mid 18th century. Many varieties have been bred for horticulture, with low growing, and large- and long-flowering forms.

Uses

The flowers are used in the production of perfume, due to their strong and pleasant smell. They are also used in traditional Chinese medicine, where they are known to be sweet and cold, and are associated with the Heart, Lung and Stomach meridians.

Propagation

Propagation of Gardenia jasminoides is usually by cuttings, grafting, and layering. The plant prefers light, well-drained soil, and medium to high light intensity. It is not tolerant of alkaline soil, hard water, or heavy clay soils.

Pests and Diseases

Gardenia jasminoides is susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, including aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, and scale insects. Diseases such as powdery mildew, sooty mold, and root rot can also affect the plant. Template:Flora-stub