Night Jasmine

Nyctanthes arbor tristis

Name

Marathi: पारिजात
Hindi: हरसिंगार

Biological Classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Spermatophyta
Sub-Division: Angiospermae
Class: Dicotyledonae
Sub-Class: Gamopetalae
Series: Bicarpellatae
Order: Gentianales
Family: Oleaceae
Sub-Family: --
Genus: Nyctanthes
Species: arbor-tristis

Advantages

  • It is cultivated in many gardens as an ornamental plant.
  • The flowers are fragrant and used in perfumery, and the Orange corolla tube is used for extraction of dye.

Interesting Facts

  • The scientific name is derived fom Greek words "Nykhta" meaning Night and "anthos" meaning flowers, as the flowers bloom only at night and fall off as soon as sun rises.
  • The specific name "arbor-tristis" means "Sad Tree" in Latin, hence it is also referred to as " Tree of Sorrow".

Description

  • It is a small tree with leaves having rough or coriaceous surface on one side. 
  • The flowering season is from September to April.
  • Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L.