Gardenia taitensis - Meet the Plants - National Tropical Botanical Garden Plant Database

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Gardenia taitensis - David Lorence, PhD, Director of Science of the NTBG speaking about Gardenia taitensis

David Lorence, PhD, Director of Science of the NTBG speaking about Gardenia taitensis (audio file)

(photo)

(herbarium sheet)

Taxonomy:

Gardenia taitensis (Rubiaceae)

Alternative Botanical Name:
Gardenia weissichii

Common Names:
Tahitian gardenia
Tiare Tahiti
Tiare

Classification:

Gardenia taitensis DC.
Kingdom: Plantae - Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta - Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta - Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons
Subclass: Asteridae
Order: Rubiales
Family: Rubiaceae - Madder Family
Genus: Gardenia Ellis - Gardenia
Species: Gardenia taitensis DC. - Tahitian Gardenia
(USDA National Plant Database. 2006)

Description:

Tahitian gardenia is an evergreen tropical shrub that grows to 4 m tall. It has glossy dark green leaves (5-16 cm long) that are oppositly arranged along the stem.

The flower is creamy white, pinwheel-shaped with 5 to 9 lobes (each lobe 2-4 cm long) and very fragrant.

(Wagner,W.L., D.R. Herbst, and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai`i)

Geographic Distribution:

Native to the highland shores of Melanesia and Western Polynesia. It is an aboriginal introduction to the Cook Islands and French Polynesia and possibly Hawai`i.

(Smith A. C. 1988. Flora Vitiensis Nova Vol. 4)

Medicinal Uses:**

Tahitian gardenia is used to produce the cosmetic oil called Monoi de Tahiti, a traditional natural product made by soaking Gardenia taitensis blossoms (Tiare flowers) in rich, purified coconut oil.

"Monoi" is an ancient Tahitian word meaning "scented oil" and the product is part of long-established cosmetic practice among the Tahitian people. The beautiful Tahitian women, "Vahines", use Monoi de Tahiti daily to hydrate and protect their skin and to condition their hair.
Monoi de Tahiti is also an ideal pre-shampoo conditioning treatment for dehydrated and damaged hair, helping to restore shine and bounce. Tests also show a slight anti-dandruff effect.
Natural anti-fungal qualities in the rich Tahitian coconut oil together with the antiseptic properties of Gardenia help to protect both skin and scalp effectively.

** The information provided above is not intended to be used as a guide for treatment of medical conditions using plants.

Indigenous Practices:

The flower has a sweet fragrance and it smells so good that people use it to make leis. In French Polynesia it is used to scent coconut oil (monoi) and is used as a hair adornment.

Male plants are selectively cultivated and propagated by cuttings, as they produce greater numbers of flowers and do not fruit.

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