Koinari or Golden gardenia, Gardenia coronaria

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Koinari or Golden gardenia (Gardenia coronaria, family: Rubiaceae) is a medium-sized deciduous tree with profuse branches at the top. The tree can get a height of  12-15 m. It is found in the hilly areas of Sylhet, Chottogram and Chottogram Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. 


Leaves are simple, glossy green, oblong-lanceolate, 10-20 cm long, short-petioled, 3-5 opposite leaves at the top of the branchlets. Veins and midrib are stout in texture.


Flowers are yellow, very fragrant, showy, 5-7 cm across, petals 5, having long tube, calyx tubular too. Flower blooms at the spring.


Fruit appears single or in a pair, 2-5 cm long, 5-angled.


The plant is propagated by seeds. The tree, despite being quite beautiful not so popular in our country. Its wood is used as firewood. The inside of the fruit is eaten by the children.


It is found abundantly in India and Myanmar. It is grown in the parks and botanical gardens in the country.  

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