Family: Rutaceae
Author: (L.) Jack
Bibliography: Malayan Misc. 1(5): 31 (1820)
Year: 1820
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Murraya
Vegetable: False
Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. Asia to Vanuatu
Description
The Mock orange, scientifically known as Murraya paniculata, is a fascinating evergreen shrub that belongs to the Rutaceae family. First described in 1820, this plant has its roots in the rich biodiversity of Tropical and Subtropical Asia and extends its presence to the islands of Vanuatu.
Murraya paniculata is renowned for its lush, dark green foliage and its captivating, aromatic white flowers, which resemble those of true orange trees, hence the common name “Mock orange.” The flowers, which bloom in clusters, exude a delightful fragrance reminiscent of orange blossoms, attracting both human admirers and pollinators alike.
Often growing to a height of 6-12 feet, Mock orange is a versatile plant, adaptable to a range of conditions. It thrives in well-drained soils and can flourish under full sun to partial shade, making it a popular choice for hedges, ornamental garden features, and even container gardening.
In addition to their ornamental appeal, the flowers of Murraya paniculata are often succeeded by small, oval, red to orange berries that add a splash of color to the foliage. These fruits, though not typically consumed by humans, are a food source for birds and other wildlife.
The Mock orange is not just a feast for the senses but also a resilient and manageable plant. Its ease of care, coupled with its striking aesthetic, makes it a favorite amongst gardeners and landscapers in regions within its climatic range.
Embodying the essence of tropical elegance, the Mock orange continues to be a plant of choice for those looking to enhance their green spaces with beauty and aromatic delight.
Common Names
En: Mock orange, Orange jasmine, orange jessamine, Kamonèng, Kemuning, Chinese box, Satin Wood, The China Box, Orange jessamine, Orange-jessamine
Af: Lemoenjasmyn
Ar: مورايا عثكولية
As: কামিনী কাঞ্চন
Bn: কামিনী
My: ယုဇနပင်
Zh: Qian li xiang, 九裏香, 月橘
Eo: Oranĝa jasmeno
Fi: Tuoksujasmikki
Fr: Rameau, Buis de Chine, Oranger jasmin
De: Orangenraute
Hu: Narancsjázmin
Id: Kemuning
Jv: Kemuning
Kn: ಕಾಡು ಕರಿಬೇವು
Km: ឈើកែវ
Ko: 칠리향
Ms: Pokok Kemuning
Ml: കാട്ടുകറിവേപ്പ്
Or: କାମିନୀ
Fa: پرتقال یاسمنی
Pt: Falsa-murta, Murta, Falsa murta
Ru: Муррайя метельчатая
Su: Kamuning
Zh-tw: 千里香
Ta: வெங்காரை
Th: แก้ว
To: ʻOlive
Zh-hant: 月橘
Vi: Nguyệt quới
Synonyms
- Connarus santaloides (Blanco)
- Murraya japonensis ((Lour.) Raeusch.)
- Murraya exotica var. buxifolia (Thwaites)
- Murraya amoena (Salisb.)
- Limonia malliculensis (J.R.Forst. ex Steud.)
- Chalcas exotica ((L.) Millsp.)
- Murraya scandens (Hassk.)
- Camunium exoticum ((L.) Kuntze)
- Murraya paniculata var. buxifolia ((Sonn.) Thwaites)
- Chalcas japanensis (Lour.)
- Murraya exotica var. paniculata ((L.) Thwaites)
- Chalcas paniculata (L.)
- Marsana buxifolia (Sonn.)
- Murraya paniculata var. exotica ((L.) C.C.Huang)
- Connarus foetens (Blanco)
Distribution
- Andaman Is. (native)
- Assam (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Bismarck Archipelago (native)
- Borneo (native)
- Cambodia (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Christmas I. (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Hainan (native)
- India (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Laos (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Malaya (native)
- Maluku (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Nepal (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- New South Wales (native)
- Northern Territory (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Solomon Is. (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sulawesi (native)
- Sumatera (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Vanuatu (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- Western Australia (native)
- Bermuda (introduced)
- Caroline Is. (introduced)
- Cayman Is. (introduced)
- Colombia (introduced)
- Comoros (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- Ecuador (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Haiti (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Marianas (introduced)
- Marshall Is. (introduced)
- Mauritius (introduced)
- Mexico Southwest (introduced)
- Nansei-shoto (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Réunion (introduced)
- Seychelles (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Venezuela (introduced)
- Windward Is. (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Fruit
Taken Sep 17, 2020 by Claire Urbach (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 30, 2017 by vini (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 29, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 28, 2019 by Brian Hammond (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 4, 2021 by David G (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Feb 1, 2017 by vini (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 11, 2015 by Leonard Wong (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 31, 2018 by worachak (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 15, 2019 by Brian Hammond (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 7, 2016 by Azmi Yusof (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Mar 4, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 7, 2022 by شهاب الدين جابر (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 24, 2020 by jurus (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Céline PIRAT (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 25, 2020 by Chee Keong Chan (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Mar 15, 2022 by yanjun xian (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 24, 2021 by Uzair Bhaur (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 18, 2022 by Harry Carter (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 26, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 4, 2019 by v virginia (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Aug 2, 2019 by c chelle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 24, 2020 by davey dave (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 20, 2019 by abdou elmadjid Said (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 31, 2020 by Yudiwijaya Yudiwijaya (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 30, 2021 by Madhukar Manvar (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Dec 11, 2019 by Morghanna Silkmoon (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 28, 2020 by Coordination Endemia (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 25, 2021 by пискуша (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 10, 2021 by Umar khayyam khan (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 7, 2017 by cyprien alexandre (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- WFO (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8190743)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:774441-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5421335)