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Night Jasmine (Parijat)
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Night Jasmine (Parijat)

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameNight Jasmine (Parijat)
DescriptionSmall white flowers with bright orange centers and coral-orange stalks that bloom at night and fall at dawn. Sweet fragrance fills the air after sunset, earning it the name Night Jasmine. Called Tree of Sorrow because flowers carpet the ground each morning, making the tree look bare. Sacred in Hindu mythology, believed to have descended from heaven.
FamilyOleaceae
GenusNyctanthes
TribeMyxopyreae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ⚥ K(5-8) C(5-8) A2 G(2)

Ebracteate, radially symmetrical, bisexual, 5-8 fused sepals forming tube, 5-8 fused petals forming corolla tube with spreading lobes, 2 stamens attached to corolla tube, 2 fused carpels with superior ovary. Typical of Oleaceae family

Features
  • Name 'Nyctanthes' from Greek 'nyctos' (night) and 'anthos' (flower). 'Arbor-tristis' means sad tree in Latin. Called Parijat in India, meaning divine flower from heaven. Also known as Harsingar, Shefali. Only one species in Nyctanthes genus
  • Flowers 0.5-0.75 inches (1-2 cm) across, white with 5-8 petals. Bright orange tubular center and coral-orange stalk. Blooms open after sunset, fall before sunrise. Sweet, jasmine-like fragrance. Blooms August-January (late summer through winter)
  • Deciduous shrub or small tree. Rough, hairy leaves 2-4 inches long, arranged opposite. Loses leaves in spring, regrows in monsoon. Flowers bloom on bare or leafy branches. Orange stalks used as natural dye
  • Grows 6-18 feet (2-5.5 m) tall, occasionally to 30 feet. Spread 6-10 feet. Lifespan 10-20 years. Propagated from seeds or cuttings. Slow-growing but hardy once established
  • Native to South Asia (India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh) and Southeast Asia (Thailand, Myanmar). Found in tropical and subtropical forests. Grows wild in foothills and plains. Widely cultivated in temple gardens
  • Requires full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours sun). Prefers well-drained, moist soil. Moderate watering. Drought tolerant once mature. Hardy zones 9-11. Thrives in warm, humid climates
  • Used in Ayurvedic medicine for fever, arthritis, sciatica. Leaves treat skin conditions. Flowers used in worship, offered to deities. Orange stalks produce natural yellow-orange dye for fabrics. Flowers collected each morning for religious ceremonies
  • Sacred in Hindu culture, associated with Lord Krishna. Symbolizes divine love and separation. Mentioned in ancient texts and mythology. Attracts moths for pollination. Flowers make fragrant garlands. Popular in Indian gardens and temples

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificNyctanthes arbor-tristis
English (Alternate)Night Jasmine, Coral Jasmine, Harsingar, Shefali, Shiuli, Tree of Sorrow, Queen of the night
Hindiहरसिंगार (Harsingar), कूरी (Kuri), सिहारु (Siharu)
Tamilபவளமல்லி (Pavazhamalli), பாரிஜாதம் (Parijatham)
Teluguపారిజాతము (Pārijātamu), పగడమల్లె (Pagaḍamalle)
Malayalamപാരിജാതം (Parijatham), പവിഴമല്ലി (Pavizhamalli)
Kannadaರಾತ್ರಿ ರಾಣಿ (Raatri raani), ಪಾರಿಜಾತ (Pārijāta)
Sanskritपारिजातः (parijatah), पुष्पक (puspak), प्रजक्तः (prajaktah), रागापुष्पि (ragapuspi)
Bengaliশিউলি (Shiuli), শেফালী (Shefali)
FrenchJasmin nocturne
Russianночной жасмин (nochnoy zhasmin), дерево скорби(derevo skorbi)
Spanishdama de noche, galán de noche
GermanNachtjasmin, Nacht-Hammerstrauch

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.