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Pinwheel

Tabernaemontana divaricata

Basic Details

Description

Floral Formula

Features

Translations

Basic Details

NamePinwheel

DescriptionElegant evergreen shrub with distinctive white flowers featuring five waxy petals arranged in a pinwheel or propeller shape, available in both single and double-layered forms. The crepe-textured blooms emit a sweet, jasmine-like fragrance especially intense at night. Native to South Asia, this hardy plant produces milky latex and has been valued in traditional medicine for treating eye disorders and skin conditions.

FamilyApocynaceae

GenusTabernaemontana

TribeTabernaemontaneae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral Formula⊕ ⚥ K(5) C(5) A5 G(2)

Radially Symmetrical, Bisexual, 5 fused sepals, 5 fused petals, 5 free stamens, 2 fused carpels with superior ovary

Features

Etymology: Named 'Crape Jasmine' for crepe-textured petals resembling crinkled fabric. 'Nero's Crown' refers to double-layered flowers resembling a crown. 'Pinwheel' describes the propeller-like petal arrangement. 'Chandni' means moonlight in Hindi, referencing night-blooming fragrance. Genus honors German herbalist Jacobus Theodorus Tabernaemontanus (1520-1590)
Unique Characteristics: Produces milky white latex when stems or leaves are broken. Flowers available in single-layered (5 petals) or double-layered (10+ petals) forms. Sweet, jasmine-like fragrance intensifies at night to attract moth pollinators. Contains alkaloids used in traditional medicine for eye disorders, skin conditions, and inflammation. Blooms continuously year-round in tropical climates
Plant Type & Blooming: Evergreen perennial shrub or small tree. Blooms year-round in tropics, spring through fall in temperate zones (March-November). Flowers last 3-5 days individually but produced continuously. Each bloom 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) across. Flowers appear in clusters at branch tips
Size, Lifespan & Propagation: Height: 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) in containers, up to 20+ feet (6+ m) in ground. Spread: 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m). Lifespan: 10-15+ years with proper care. Propagation: stem cuttings (easiest, root in 3-4 weeks), seeds, air layering. Fast-growing, 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) per year
Native Region & Distribution: Native to India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. Naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide including Africa, Australia, Pacific Islands, Caribbean, and southern United States (Florida, Texas, California). Grows wild in forests and cultivated in gardens globally
Climate & Growing Conditions: Thrives in full sun to partial shade (6+ hours sunlight ideal). Prefers warm, humid tropical to subtropical climates (USDA zones 9-11). Temperature: 60-85°F (15-29°C), tolerates brief cold to 40°F (4°C). Soil: well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0), rich in organic matter. Water: moderate, allow soil to dry between waterings. Avoid overwatering (causes root rot). Drought-tolerant once established

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificTabernaemontana divaricata

English (Alternate)Crape Jasmine, Crepe Jasmine, East Indian Rosebay, Nandyarvattam, Moonbeam, Nero's Crown, Carnation of India, Chandni flower, Milk Flower

Hindiतगर (Tagar), चांदनी (Chandni), अनंता (Ananta), सदाफुली (Sadafuli)

Tamilநந்தியாவட்டை (Nandiyavattai)

Teluguనందివర్ధనం (Nandivardhanam), నంద్యారవట్టం (Nandyavattam)

Malayalamനന്ത്യാർവട്ടം (Nandhyarvattam)

Kannadaನಂದಿಬಟ್ಟಲು (Nandi Battalu)

Sanskritनन्द्यावर्त (Nandyaavarta)

Bengaliটগর (Tagar), জংলি টগর (Jongli Tagar)

Frenchfleur en moulinet

RussianТабернамонтана divaricata (Tabernamontana divarikata)

Spanishflor de la tabernaemontana

GermanTabernaemontana divaricata

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.