Medicinal Flowers - Home Cultivation and Medicinal and Edible Uses

Author: Bao Zhaogteg, Wei Qunhui / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-07-01
Features: The gardenia belongs to the Rubiaceae family and the Gardenia genus. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to southern provinces along the Yangtze River in China. Common cultivated ornamental varieties include large gardenia, oval-leaf gardenia, narrow-leaf gardenia, and variegated-leaf gardenia. They bloom in early summer, displaying beautiful, elegant, and fragrant flowers with a rich, enchanting scent. Wild gardenias are often referred to as "yue tao" (literally "over-peach") in many regions. They flourish in midsummer, bear fruit in autumn, and are adorned with lush green leaves and exquisite flowers, emitting a captivating fragrance. Throughout history, many cultural figures have created poetry and paintings inspired by gardenias. Liu Yuxi once praised them in a poem: "The flowers of Shu are already spent, but the yue tao now blooms anew. Their hue resembles jade trees leaning, and their scent seems to come from the celestial realm of jade." The poet Du Fu elevated the gardenia to an unparalleled status: "Among all trees, the gardenia stands supreme. Its color is useful for the body, and its essence harmonizes with the Dao. Red from wind and frost, green from rain and dew. Unmoved, you are transplanted, precious in reflecting the river's waves." Generally, elegant and fragrant flowers evoke pure and holy love, and gardenias, with their ability to "bear seeds of unity," are no exception. "A handful of fragrant gardenia can be given to a lover, or a friend—its ice-clear petals not only carry vows of love but also friendships spanning the vast distances." Regarding "gardenia seeds of unity," there is a famous line in Song poetry: "With gardenias, united in heart, may I repay you with a hundred tangled lilacs." Gardenias and lilacs, both renowned flowers, are intertwined with countless emotions, causing poets' hearts to twist and readers to sigh in admiration.
There are many legends about the naming of gardenias. Some say the fruit resembles ancient wine vessels called "mo gu," hence the name. The "Three Surpluses Additional Notes" mentions that "Zeng Duanbo considered gardenias his Zen companion." The Southern Song poet Xie Lingyun wrote, "Near snow, the forest's zhi grows gracefully," referring to gardenias as "zhi." Some texts record that gardenias were named "mo," appearing in Buddhist scriptures. Legend has it that they were brought from India, leading to Chen Chun of the Ming Dynasty saying, "Pomegranates hold fragrant essence, coming from the land of India."
Gardenias have the ability to resist smoke, dust, and toxic gases. Planting them in gardens can make the air feel fresh and clean. They are suitable for garden arrangements, household potted plants, or creating gardenia (pot landscapes). P008-009