by johnah on November 22, 2020
What Is African Gardenia?
African gardenia is a species of flowering shrub native to West Africa. They are not related to other plants found in the region such as date palms or fig trees. Their flowers have white petals with pink centers and they grow up to 20 feet tall. They produce small, yellowish fruits which resemble little grapes and are eaten fresh or dried like raisins.
The leaves of African gardenia are edible too, but their flavor is not pleasant. Some people prefer them raw or cooked. The fruit contains seeds and the seeds can be used as a substitute for flour when making breads or cakes.
African gardenia is considered to be one of the most beautiful plants in Africa due to its beauty and fragrance. However, it does contain some toxic chemicals called terpenes which make it unpleasant to eat if consumed in large quantities.
Africa’s tropical climate makes it ideal for growing these plants. Because of the high humidity levels, African gardenias thrive here. They need light shade and plenty of water to survive. If grown indoors, they require regular watering because they do not tolerate dry conditions well.
These plants are easy to care for since they don’t require much attention and will grow fast under proper conditions.
These plants have some ornamental significance. They are often grown indoors or as centerpieces for decoration in hotel lobbies. They are part of the Africana collection and used in floral arrangements. The flowers are sweet-smelling and their fragrance makes them ideal for perfume manufacturers.
This plant is also used in herbal medicine because it contains powerful antioxidants which protect the human body from free radicals which cause cell damage.
Gardenias share a few characteristics with fig trees and have some edible parts like the fruit, roots, and flowers. They can be grown in containers and need at least five hours of sun exposure per day. The soil should contain equal parts compost and potting soil. They should be watered regularly and fertilized every now and then.
These plants are vulnerable to different types of insects such as aphids, mealy bugs, scales, and thrips.
Gardenias are a great choice for people who want to grow some flowers at home. They are easy to take care of and come in different colors such as white, yellow, pink, blue, and purple. They are hardy plants which can survive outdoors or indoors. African gardenia plants do not require much maintenance and are known for their attractive flowers.
You can buy African gardenia plants online or from your local nursery. They are available in different sizes such as potted, in a 3-gallon container, or even as a seedling. Make sure that the varieties you choose will fit in the space you have prepared for them because some African gardenias grow quite large over time.
Another option is to start your own seeds. This involves soaking them in water for around 12 hours before planting them into seedling soil pellets. Once the seedlings emerge from the soil, they can be transplanted to larger pots.
Although gardenias are beautiful plants, they can also be dangerous. They contain toxic chemicals called glucosides which are present in all parts of the plant (leaves, stems, roots, flowers, and fruits). When ingested in large quantities, these chemicals can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pains, and in some cases death.
Sources & references used in this article:
Growing Gardenias in Florida1 by J Bradshaw, SP Brown – EDIS, 2009 – Citeseer
South Carolina’s historic cemeteries: a preservation handbook by SH McGahee, MW Edmonds – South Carolina State …, 1997 – dc.statelibrary.sc.gov
Caring for cut flowers by R Jones – 2001 – books.google.com
Flowering gift plants: their care and how to rebloom them by GM Fosler – Circular (University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign …, 1958 – ideals.illinois.edu
GROWN YOUR OWN PEANUTS… KIDS FUN and DIY EASY. by LPC Guide – auntiedogmasgardenspot.wordpress …
Desert landscaping: how to start and maintain a healthy landscape in the Southwest by G Brookbank – 1992 – books.google.com
Production of Gardenia jasminoides scions via tissue culture for grafting on gardenia thunbergia under greenhouse conditions by AA Nower, EM Hamza – Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 2013 – researchgate.net
Performance matters: Black film actresses in critically acclaimed roles by T Hodge – 2010 – search.proquest.com
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