Not All Jasmines Are True Jasmines: A Gardener's Guide to Fragrant Lookalikes

Executive Summary

A Hua Hin Services gardening tip reveals a common botanical misconception: not all plants called "jasmine" are related. The article explains that True Jasmine, Cape Jasmine, and Orange Jasmine, despite sharing fragrant white flowers and the same common name, actually belong to three different plant families. This naming occurs because gardeners often group plants by similar appealing characteristics, like scent and flower color, rather than their scientific classification or genetic lineage. The piece serves as a detective moment for gardeners, clarifying that the shared name is a matter of popular language, not botanical taxonomy. This insight helps gardeners better understand the true identities and care needs of their plants, uncovering the secrets of their gardens.

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 Q: I have three plants in my garden, all of which have 'jasmine' in their name. However, I’m not sure if they are related to each other. Can anyone help? 

Jasmine - มะลิ (Mali) - Jasminum sambac 

Gardenia or Cape Jasmine — ดอกพุดจีบ (dok phut chip) — Gardenia jasminoides 

Orange jasmine tree - ดอกแก้ว (dok kaew) - Murraya paniculata

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A: You have three plants with "jasmine" in their common names, but they're actually from three different plant families. Let me explain:

1. True Jasmine (Jasminum sambac) - This is a genuine jasmine from the olive family (Oleaceae). It's known as "Mali" (มะลิ) in Thai and is famous for its intensely fragrant white flowers that are often used in teas, perfumes, and religious offerings.

2. Cape Jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides) - Despite its name, this plant belongs to the coffee family (Rubiaceae), not the jasmine family. In Thai, it's called "Dok Phut Chip" (ดอกพุดจีบ). Gardenias are known for their glossy leaves and highly fragrant white flowers that turn creamy yellow as they age.

3. Orange Jasmine (Murraya paniculata) - This plant belongs to the citrus family (Rutaceae). In Thai, it's known as "Dok Kaew" (ดอกแก้ว). It features small, fragrant white flowers and compound leaves, and is often used as an ornamental hedge.

The "jasmine" in these common names refers to their shared characteristics of having fragrant white flowers, rather than botanical relationships. It's quite common for plants with similar appealing features to share common names even when they're botanically unrelated.