Family: Rubiaceae

Tahitian gardenia is an everblooming, evergreen, rounded shrub. Pure white pinwheel-shaped flowers stand out among the glossy green leaves. Native to the SouthWest area of the Pacific and cultivated since antiquity, tiare was dispersed far and wide by the Polynesia colonists. The flowers are the perfect size to tuck behind the ear. A heavenly odor, flower essences are used to perfume coconut oil, perfumes, lotions, and shampoo. 

Tahitian gardenia thrives in tropical dry areas where other gardenias will not. It is an approved street tree for the city of Honolulu partly because it has unobtrusive roots. It even thrives in red clay or sandy soil.

Plant Uses:

• Bonsai
• Container plant
• Cultural significance
• Cut flower
• Fragrant
• Hedge
• Lei flower
• Ornamental
• Specimen
• Bonzai

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers

High Risk Traits:

• Intentionally dispersed by people (seed trade)
  
• Propagules survive gut passage (and could be dispersed by animals)

Low Risk Traits:

• No evidence of naturalization
  
• Not a weed (agricultural, environmental, or horticultural)
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Non-toxic, non-allergenic, non-allelopathic
  
• Not shade tolerant (requires full sun)
  
• No smothering growth habit (shrub/small tree)
  
• Does not form dense thickets
  
• No vegetative reproduction
  
• Low seed production (fruit infrequent in cultivation