Gardenia taitensis

Gardenia taitensis, also called Tahitian gardenia[2] or tiaré flower, is a species of plant in the family Rubiaceae. It is an evergreen tropical shrub that grows to 4 m (10 ft) tall and has glossy dark green leaves that are 5–16 cm (2–6 in) long and are oppositely arranged along the stem. The flower is creamy white and pinwheel-shaped with 5–9 lobes, each 2–4 cm (0.8–2 in) long and fragrant. Native to the highland shores of the South Pacific, it has the distinction of being one of the few cultivated plants native to Polynesia. It is the national flower of French Polynesia and the Cook Islands.

Gardenia taitensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Gardenia
Species:
G. taitensis
Binomial name
Gardenia taitensis
Synonyms[1]
  • Gardenia weissichii H.St.John

The name Tahitian gardenia is somewhat a misnomer because it is neither native nor naturalized in Tahiti. The first acceptable scientific name for the plant was based on Tahitian specimens collected by Jules Dumont d'Urville in 1824. Hence the scientific name of Gardenia taitensis, and the English name of Tahitian gardenia or Tiaré flower. It was first collected in Tahiti, by the Forsters on Captain Cook's first Pacific voyage (1768–1771), although it was misidentified as Gardenia jasminoides.[3]

The plant originates from Melanesia and Western Polynesia. It is an aboriginal introduction to the Cook Islands and French Polynesia and possibly Hawaii.[4]

Common uses

Monoï oil
The flower is used to make Monoi oil

This oil is used mainly for cosmetic purposes as a hair or skin treatment. In order to obtain the monoi oil (monoï, pronounced mah-noy, means "scented oil" in Tahitian), tiare flowers are infused in coconut oil. The maceration must last at least ten days and requires at least ten Tiare flowers per liter of refined oil.[5]

This manufacturing process, common to all producers of "monoï de Tahiti", is a method similar to "enfleurage" (see enfleurage) in perfumery.[6] Tiaré is also used in niche perfumery but its prohibitively high cost excludes use in commercial perfumery. Notable examples include Tiare by Ormonde Jayne launched in 2009,[7] Tiare by Chantecaille[8] and Coucou by Frater.[9] The Tiaré flowers are hand picked and then laid unopened in oil for 15 days to obtain the extract.

Flower necklaces
Tiare necklaces, also called "Ei", "Hei" or "Lei".

Polynesian people in the pacific islands use the extremely fragrant blooms in their flower necklaces, which are called "Ei" in the Cook Islands, "Hei" in Tahiti or "Lei" in Hawaii. In some Pacific island traditions, wearing a flower indicates relationship status. A flower worn on the left ear means the person is taken and on the right ear means available.

Herbal medicine

The plant is used in traditional herbalism. For example, in Tonga a bark infusion is dripped into the nose, eyes, and mouth to treat "ghost sickness". In Samoa, parts of the plant are used for inflammation.[10]

  • Flower buds
    Flower buds
  • Foliage
    Foliage
  • Flower
    Flower
  • Opening flower
    Opening flower
  • Growth habit
    Growth habit

References
  1. "Gardenia taitensis". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  2. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Gardenia taitensis". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  3. Cook Islands Biodiversity & Natural Heritage Database : Gardenia taitensis - Tahitian Gardenia
  4. Gardenia taitensis - National Tropical Garden Plant Database
  5. "3 Things you didnt know about monoi". June 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2022. at eminenceorganics.com
  6. The History of Monoi Tiare Tahiti at Monoi.com Archived 2016-08-02 at the Wayback Machine
  7. Ormonde Jayne - Tiare Perfume Collection Archived 2011-04-22 at the Wayback Machine by Linda Pilkington
  8. Chantecaille Tiare Perfume Archived 2011-07-08 at the Wayback Machine at chantecaille.com
  9. Frater Perfumes - Coucou
  10. Polynesian herbal medicine By W. Arthur Whistler (1992) p. 52, 69, 150 Google Books
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