Orange Jessamine, Satinwood Tree
Murraya paniculata

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small evergreen tree. It grows to 5 m high and spreads to 3 m across. The branches are grey and slender. The leaves are alternate and scattered. The leaves are compound with 2-8 leaflets. Leaves are 8 to 15 cm long and smooth. The leaflets are in pairs or alternately and are oblong and tapering bluntly. The flowers are white and few. They are star-shaped or bell shaped and with a sweet smell. The fruit are oval, fleshy and orange or red. They are 1.25 cm long and normally contain 2 seeds.

There are 12 Murraya species. They occur in tropical Asia and the Pacific.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. They occur in dry woods of the Philippines. They are frequently cultivated for their sweet smelling flowers. They do best with a rich, moist, well-drained soil. They need a sheltered sunny position. They are damaged by drought and frost. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. Adelaide Botanical Gardens. In XTBG Yunnan. In Townsville palmetum.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Amazon, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Britain, Cambodia, Canada, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Fiji, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Himalayas, India (country/location of origin), Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Marquesas, Myanmar (country/location of origin), Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Polynesia, Puerto Rico, Ryukyu, SE Asia, Singapore, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are edible and used as flavouring. The flowers are used to scent tea. The leaves are used to flavour curries.

It is commonly cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers, leaves, spice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. Cuttings are slow to root. The plant is good for ornamental hedges. The plants can also be raised by air-layering.

Its other names

Local names

Angarakana gida, Atteriya, Ban mallika, Burmese box-wood, Chalcas, Chinese boxwood, Chinese myrtle, Dawk-kaeo, Gaeo, Harkankali, Jasmine orange, Jiu li xiang, Juti, Kamini, Karepaku, Kattu kariveppilai, Kemuning lada, Kemuning, Keo, Konji, Kosoksok, Kunti, Mai keo, Marchia, Marchula, Marchulajuti, Mirto, Mock Orange, Mok-so-ngayok, Nagagolunga, Nguyet quoi, Nine Li scent, Nyibumtarum, Nyibumturum, Pandari, Pandry, Pohon kemuning jawa, Pohon sukik, Sumatra box, Taw-ngayok, Wild curry leaf, Yuzana

Synonyms

Murraya ovatifoliolata (Engl.) Engl.; Murraya exotica L.; Murraya exotica var. sumatrana Koord. et Val.; Murraya glenieli Thw.; Murraya odorata Blanco; Murraya sumatrana Roxb.; Murraya banati Elm.; Chalcas exotica (L.) Millsp.; Chalcas paniculata L.; Chalcas camuneng Burm.f.; Chalcas intermedia Roem.; Connarus foetens Blanco; Connarus santaloides Blanco;