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Glite Dictionary
Gardenia jasminoides

Gardenia jasminoides

1 7.7
An evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and large white flowers that smell sweet
  • noun
  • /ɡɑːrˈdiːniə dʒæzˈmɪnɔɪdz/
  • Specialized
: gardenia
  • She planted a Gardenia jasminoides near the entrance to enjoy its fragrance in summer.

Examples

  • Many gardeners prize Gardenia jasminoides for its beautiful, waxy white blossoms.

  • The delicate scent of the Gardenia jasminoides filled the conservatory.

  • The Gardenia jasminoides blooms beautifully in the summer.

  • I love the scent of Gardenia jasminoides in my garden.

  • Many gardeners prize Gardenia jasminoides for its beautiful, waxy white blossoms.

  • She planted a Gardenia jasminoides near the entrance to enjoy its fragrance in summer.

  • The delicate scent of the Gardenia jasminoides filled the conservatory.

Synonyms

gardenia
vsGardenia jasminoides
12 6.0

A small bush with large, sweet-smelling white or yellow flowers

is the specific common evergreen species limited to white flowers and glossy leaves
cape jasmine
vsGardenia jasminoides
1 6.7

An evergreen shrub with shiny leaves and large sweet-smelling white flowers

is the same species but presented under a different common name
Gardenia augusta
vsGardenia jasminoides
  • Specialized
8.1

An evergreen bush with big white scented flowers and shiny leaves

is the same plant but without stressing waxy flower texture

Surface Forms

Gardenia jasminoides singular

Morphology

gardenia + jasminoides

This is a Latin binomial: knowing 'gardenia' already tells a learner it denotes that shrub, so much of the meaning is recoverable. However, 'jasminoides' is a technical Latin species epithet (literally 'jasmine‑like' from -oides) that a B1 learner is unlikely to know, so the specific nuance is not fully predictable.

Etymology

Gardenia jasminoides was named after a real person, the naturalist Alexander Garden, so Gardenia honours his name, and jasminoides means 'like jasmine' because its white, sweet-smelling flowers and scent remind people of jasmine. That's why the name fits this evergreen shrub with shiny leaves and fragrant blossoms.