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That unforgettable fragrance

Jasmine is indigenous to Tamil Nadu and widely grown in homes and temples

USED IN PERFUMES Jasmine

Malligaipoo is indigenous to Tamil Nadu but for some reason it is called the Arabian Jasmine all over the world. Sambae (Arabic) and Zambak (Persian) are the names of the plant in the Middle East where from time immemorial the flowers and plants are popular. Ysmym (Arabic) is considered the original word for Jasmine. In Europe, however, two Greek words, ia, meaning flower, and osme, meaning scent, are believed to be the root words. When put together and pronounced they become the word Jasmine. The botanical name is Jasminum sambac.

The genus Jasminum, belonging to the family Oleaceae, comprises 207 species of shrubby climbing plants. The intoxicating perfume of the flower is extracted by a process known as enfleurage, developed in France. The simple technique consists of evenly spreading fresh Jasmine flowers over layers of liquid fat, changing the flowers every 24 hours till the perfume gets saturated in the fat and then transferring it to an alcohol base. Tonnes of flowers are consumed in the profitable perfume industry. French Jasmine is still a popular perfume.

Jasminum sambac is a small scandant sub erect shrub of dry habitat. The leaves are simple, glabrous, obtuse and without stipules. They are ovate in shape, 3 inches long and one-and-a-half inches wide, rounded at the base and accumulate at the tip. They are placed opposite at three-inch intervals on the slender stem. The four to six lateral nerves loop within the margin beautifully.

The hot, rainy season is when Jasmine blooms. The inflorescence is terminal cymes with a campanulate calyx tube and linear shaped bracts.

Jasmine is cultivated all over the tropics. Rooted cuttings are planted. While watering, care should be taken to apply water only on the roots. Quite often, Jasmine bushes are literally beaten for profuse flowering. Instead, holding the tip of a stem in one hand, run the thumb and first finger of the other hand along the stem, stripping the leaves gently. With regular watering, within a week, you will have new leaves and a profusion of flowers. Sunlight should fall directly on the plants. Hence, it is advisable to prune the branches of other trees and shrubs that grow in its vicinity to enable sunlight to enrich the plant.

Bola, Malliga and Mogra are common names of Jasmine in India and it is grown in homes and temples. Any sunny patch of soil or a large pot placed in the sunshine can be used to raise Jasmine.

J. MANGALARAJ JOHNSON

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