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pinwheelflower (Tabernaemontana divaricata)

Tabernaemontana divaricata is an evergreen shrub to small tree. It is reported to be perennial.

LightIt grows in full sun to partial sun; indoor container plants can be kept in a bright location, and another recommendation is a position with morning sun and afternoon shade.
WaterWater regularly and keep the growing medium moderately moist without waterlogging; water can be added when the surface has dried slightly, with particular attention to moisture in summer.
HumidityIt is reported to prefer high humidity.
TemperatureIt is generally frost tender; keep above freezing.
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Overview

Tabernaemontana divaricata is an evergreen shrub to small tree. It is reported to be perennial.

Origin and habitat

Sources differ on the description of its native range: it is associated with tropical to subtropical parts of Asia, including India, Myanmar, Thailand, and southern China, while broader accounts describe it as native to South Asia, Southeast Asia, and China. It occurs in montane shrubland and open woodland, including open woodland in hilly areas. It is suited to tropical and subtropical environments at low to middle elevations and can be grown indoors or in a greenhouse in areas where it is not cold hardy.

Characteristics

Sources differ on mature height, reporting about 50–500 cm. A single source reports a mature spread of about 152.4–304.8 cm, so sources are few. The leaves are large, glossy, dark green, and oblanceolate, and damaged branches and leaves exude white latex. The fragrant flowers are white to nearly white and commonly form small terminal cymes; single-flowered forms have a pinwheel-like appearance, while forms with additional petals or double flowers are also cultivated, and flowering occurs mainly from spring through autumn but may be sporadic or continuous throughout the year under suitable conditions.

Light

It grows in full sun to partial sun; indoor container plants can be kept in a bright location, and another recommendation is a position with morning sun and afternoon shade.

Watering

Water regularly and keep the growing medium moderately moist without waterlogging; water can be added when the surface has dried slightly, with particular attention to moisture in summer.

Humidity and airflow

It is reported to prefer high humidity.

Temperature and dormancy

It is generally frost tender; keep above freezing.

Growing medium and mounting

It is suited to organic-rich loam or sandy loam and prefers a fertile, moist but well-drained growing medium; another source indicates that the soil should not be excessively alkaline.

Feeding

To promote growth, a slow-release fertilizer is reported to be suitable from spring through autumn.

Propagation

It can be propagated by cuttings, air layering, or seed; cuttings that exude white latex can first be allowed to dry in the shade before planting, while air layering is described using ring-barked established branches in spring.

Common problems

A source reports vigorous growth with relatively few pest problems and relatively little disease, without identifying a specific common disease. Hot, dry conditions may impair growth, while the thin petals can be damaged by rain and lose ornamental quality; the growing medium should not become waterlogged. It is sensitive to frost and severe cold and should be protected from freezing; severe cold may cause leaf drop and dormancy, and the flowers are also sensitive to heavy rain.

Identification

The fragrant white flowers have a pinwheel-like appearance, and broken branches and leaves exude white latex; these features can help distinguish Tabernaemontana divaricata from similar-looking gardenias.

Photos

Tabernaemontana divaricata
📷 Arif tonmoy · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Tabernaemontana divaricata
📷 阿橋 HQ, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · CC BY-SA · source
Tabernaemontana divaricata
📷 Montrealais, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY · source

Sources