. . . BURM. I Chambeli, Jati, . HIND.
A native of the East Indies, and much culti vated for the flowers. This and another species yield the true essential oil of jasmine of the shops. It is the most exquisitely fragrant species of the genus, and is very generally cultivated, the oil being much prized as a perfume; and the large white flowers, having a most powerful scent, and being in blossom throughout the year are used in garlands on all festive occasions. In Hindu medicine, the flowers are considered a bitter and cool remedy, and are employed as an application to wounds, ulcers, boils, and eruptions of the skin. They act as an aromatic stimulant, and might be used as a substitute for the sambucus, elder flowers.—Roxb.
Jasminum heterophyllum, Roxb.
J. hirsutum, Linn. I Nyctanthes hirsuta, Linn.
J. pubescens, Wiltd. N. pubescens, Retz.
J. multiflorum, Andr. N. multiflora, Burm.
Koondo, . . . Katu jeram mulla, MALEAL Grows in most parts of India.—Roxb.
Jasminum nudiflorum is of the north of China, where. its yellow blossoms peep out from amongst the snow like the primroses and cowslips. Nearly as early is the pretty daisy - like Spiraea pruni the yellow Forsythia viridissima, the lilac Daphne Fortunei, and the pink Judas tree become covered with blossoms, and make the northern Chinese gardens extremely gay.—Fortune's Res. p. 241.
Jasminum officinale, Linn., White jasmine.
J. rcvolutum, Sims. J. pubigerum, var.
Sunni, . . . . CHENAB. Jai PANJAB. Malto, Pitmalto, . HIND. Shing, . . . SUTLEJ. Chamba, . . „ A native of the south of Europe, used gener ally by Europeans for covering trellis - work. Natives of India grow it in bushes, and use the flowers at most of their festivals. It is propagated by layers. The root is said to be useful in ringworm. A perfumed oil is prepared from this with the fixed oil of the Pterygosperma moringa.
Jasminum pubescens, TVilld. Jasminum hir sutum, Linn. Its 'pretty white flower, the koondo of the IIindu, is sacred to Vishnu. It is culti vated as a flowering plant, and is very ornamental.
JasMinum sambac, Roxb.
J. undulatum, Willde. I Nyctanthes sambac, Linn.
Mogorium sambac, Lanz.
• But mugra, BENG., Duxes. Pun mulla, . . MALEAL. Sa bay, Ma lee, . Bum. Zambak, . . . PERS. Bela, Mutya, . . HIND. Navamallica, . . SANSK. Hazarca mugra, . „ Mallai, . . . Tar.
There are two varieties of this beautiful and very fragrant twining plant, one is J. samba; plenum, the great double Arabian jasmine, the rich-lobed branches of which are studded all over like the snowdrop tree with lovely white flowers, the size of small roses, and delightfully fragrant, This variety is probably more cultivated than any other flower, though the single-flowered, with a twining habit, is not unfrequently to be seen. The single variety is called Motiya ; but beautiful varieties called Satha, with single and double flowers, which have the odour of fine green tea, are also cultivated. J. sambac is used to decorate the hair of the Chinese ladies, and to garnish the tables of the wealthy. All Chinese gardens, both in the north and south, are supplied with this favourite flower from the province of Tokein. This, J. paniculatum, and Olea fragrans, the orange tree, Murraya exotica, Aglaia odorata, and Chlor anthus inconspicuus, are grown for their blossoms, which are used for mixing with the tea. The flowers of the sambac are supposed by the Hindus to form one of the darts of Kama Deva, the Hindu god of love.—Roxb. ; Riddell; Fortune ; Stewart ; Irvine ; 1Vight.