Family: Apocynaceae
Author: (L.) R.Br. ex Roem. & Schult.
Bibliography: Syst. Veg., ed. 15 bis 4: 427 (1819)
Year: 1819
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Tabernaemontana
Vegetable: False
Observations: Himalaya to China (S. Yunnan) and Indo-China
Description
Adam’s-apple, scientifically known as Tabernaemontana divaricata, is a captivating plant species renowned for its ornamental beauty and traditional uses. This plant belongs to the Apocynaceae family, a family known for its diverse and often visually striking members.
Native to a wide geographical range extending from the Himalayas to China, specifically in the southern Yunnan region, and to the regions of Indo-China, Adam’s-apple thrives in tropical to subtropical climates. It’s often seen gracing gardens and landscapes with its glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant white flowers, making it a popular choice for ornamental planting.
The plant’s common name, Adam’s-apple, derives from its notable fruit, which is characterized by its distinctive shape and structure. However, it is perhaps the flowers that dominate the admiration for this plant. The blossoms are typically white, though at times tinged with a slight yellow or pink hue, and exude a delightful fragrance, especially in the evening, making them attractive to both people and pollinators.
Authored by (L.) R.Br. ex Roem. & Schult., the scientific classification and observations of Tabernaemontana divaricata were first detailed in the bibliographic reference, Syst. Veg., ed. 15 bis 4: 427 (1819). This early work laid the foundation for understanding the botanical characteristics and the natural distribution of this species.
Adam’s-apple not only serves an aesthetic purpose but has also been utilized in various traditional medicine systems. In many cultures within its native range, different parts of the plant, including the leaves, stems, and latex, are used for their purported medicinal properties. Despite its beauty and traditional value, it’s crucial to note that parts of the plant can be toxic if ingested improperly, and it should be handled with care.
In conclusion, Tabernaemontana divaricata or Adam’s-apple is a remarkable plant with much to offer both in terms of beauty and cultural significance. Its presence from the Himalayas to China and Indo-China highlights its adaptability and the broad appeal it commands across different cultures and regions.
Common Names
Eng: adam’s-apple, ceylon-jessamine, east indian rose bay, pinwheelflower, broadleaf rose bay, butterfly-gardenia, crape-gardenia, crape-jasmine, crepe-jessamine, flowers-of-love, pinwheel-flower, adam’s apple, east indian rosebay, broadleaved rosebay, butterfly gardenia, crape gardenia, crape jasmine, pinwheel flower
Fra: fleur d’amour
En: Adam’s-apple, Ceylon-jessamine, East Indian rose bay, Pinwheelflower, Broadleaf rose bay, Butterfly-gardenia, Crape-gardenia, Crape-jasmine, Crepe-jessamine, Flowers-of-love, Pinwheel-flower, Adam’s apple, East Indian rosebay, Broadleaved rosebay, Butterfly gardenia, Crape gardenia, Crape jasmine, Pinwheel flower
Fr: Fleur d’amour
Synonyms
- Ervatamia siamensis ((Warb. ex Pit.) Kerr)
- Testudipes recurva ((Lindl.) Markgr.)
- Nyctanthes acuminata (Burm.f.)
- Ervatamia flabelliformis (Tsiang)
- Tabernaemontana flabelliformis ((Tsiang) P.T.Li)
- Ervatamia divaricata ((L.) Burkill)
- Ervatamia recurva ((Lindl.) Lace)
- Nerium coronarium (Jacq.)
- Tabernaemontana coronaria var. plena (Roxb. ex Voigt)
- Tabernaemontana discolor (Sw.)
- Reichardia grandiflora (Dennst.)
- Reichardia jasminoides (Dennst.)
- Kopsia cochinchinensis (Kuntze)
- Tabernaemontana gratissima (Lindl.)
- Vinca alba (Noronha)
- Tabernaemontana lurida (Van Heurck & Müll.Arg.)
- Ervatamia coronaria ((Jacq.) Stapf)
- Tabernaemontana recurva (Lindl.)
- Ervatamia divaricata var. plena ((Roxb. ex Voigt) M.R.Almeida)
- Tabernaemontana coronaria ((Jacq.) Willd.)
- Taberna discolor ((Sw.) Miers)
- Jasminum zeylanicum (Burm.f.)
- Tabernaemontana siamensis (Warb. ex Pit.)
Distribution
- Assam (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Cambodia (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- India (native)
- Laos (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Nepal (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- Caroline Is. (introduced)
- China Southeast (introduced)
- Cook Is. (introduced)
- Costa Rica (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- Guatemala (introduced)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
- Hainan (introduced)
- Haiti (introduced)
- Honduras (introduced)
- Jamaica (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Malaya (introduced)
- Marianas (introduced)
- Marquesas (introduced)
- Marshall Is. (introduced)
- Mexico Southeast (introduced)
- Mexico Southwest (introduced)
- Nicaragua (introduced)
- Panamá (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Society Is. (introduced)
- Taiwan (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Tuamotu (introduced)
- Tubuai Is. (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Oct 16, 2020 by Kordell Edmondson (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 26, 2020 by sm Sm (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 1, 2021 by GilmaraFrança (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 22, 2020 by Isabel Machik (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 7, 2019 by budanov (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Apr 3, 2017 by jayaprakash mudaliar (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 8, 2017 by Kkly Desiles (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 23, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 11, 2019 by s vasanth (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 3, 2019 by prajapati prince (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Nov 24, 2019 by Gasparelo Rosana (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 17, 2018 by Yves Demouy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 3, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 15, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 9, 2019 by de Fooz Maxime (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Mar 13, 2019 by Arnaud Moeykens (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 14, 2019 by Prakash Rudraraju (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 28, 2018 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 21, 2021 by Vaibhav N (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 22, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Patrick Payet (cc-by-sa)
© 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.
Bark
Taken Feb 8, 2022 by Carl Hermann Suppe (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 25, 2019 by Jean-Marie Tognola (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 22, 2021 by Jonathan Golan (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 23, 2019 by Gerez Richmond (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 26, 2020 by sm Sm (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Feb 11, 2020 by Giuliano Ferri (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 21, 2019 by Noel Dionson (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 9, 2019 by de Fooz Maxime (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:82097-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3169625)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Tabernaemontana divaricata (L.) R.Br. ex Roem. & Schult.)
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Tree, Shrub