Differences Between Tabernaemontana divaricata and Gardenia jasminoides - These Few Points Are All You Need to Know
Tabernaemontana divaricata and Gardenia jasminoides are both flowers. Not only are their colors both white, but their flower shapes are also similar, so many people cannot tell them apart and end up confusing them. Below we introducethe differences between Tabernaemontana divaricata and Gardenia jasminoides.
Difference 1: Different families and genera
Tabernaemontana divaricata is also called white dog tooth, lion flower, and tofu flower. It is a shrub in the genus Tabernaemontana of the family Apocynaceae, usually up to 3 m tall, and except for the hairy calyx, the rest is hairless. Gardenia jasminoides is also called yellow gardenia and mountain gardenia. It is an evergreen shrub in the genus Gardenia of the family Rubiaceae, 0.3-3 m tall, and the young branches are often covered with short hairs.
Difference 2: Different branches
The branches and branchlets of Tabernaemontana divaricata are grayish green, with lenticels, and when dry have longitudinal cracking stripes. The young branches of Gardenia jasminoides are often covered with short hairs, and the branches are cylindrical and gray.
Difference 3: Different leaves
The leaves of Tabernaemontana divaricata are 5.5-11.5 cm long and 1.5-3.5 cm wide, firmly papery, elliptical or elliptic-oblong, dark green on the upper surface and light green on the back, with a petiole 0.5-1 cm long. The leaves of Gardenia jasminoides are 3-25 cm long and 1.5-8 cm wide, leathery, oblong-lanceolate, obovate-oblong, obovate or elliptical, bright green above and darker below, with a petiole 0.2-1 cm long.
Difference 4: Different flowers
Tabernaemontana divaricata usually grows in pairs, with 6-10 flowers at the branch tips. The flowers are a bit smaller, the corolla is white, and the petal edges are wrinkled. Gardenia jasminoides usually has a single flower borne at the branch tip. The flowers are much larger, the corolla is white or creamy yellow, and the wrinkles on the petal edges are not obvious.
Difference 5: Different flowering periods
The flowering period of Tabernaemontana divaricata is June-November, a long flowering period, blooming from June in summer and continuing until November in autumn. The flowering period of Gardenia jasminoides is May-July, a relatively short flowering period, blooming from May and continuing until July.
Difference 6: Different floral fragrance
The fragrance of Tabernaemontana divaricata is similar to that of jasmine, a little lighter than the fragrance of Gardenia jasminoides. Gardenia jasminoides is very fragrant, and it is best not to smell it up close; an overly strong fragrance can make people feel dizzy.