Jasminum officinale is the common Jasmine. It is in the family Oleaceae.[1][2] It is famous for its scent. It is also known as Poet's Jasmine or Jessamine.
- The Poet's Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) is the National flower and the Floral Emblem, and is beloved by many Pakistanis and is a precious flowering plant in many Pakistani reservations. Also known as Chaman, symbolizes purity and simplicity. Renowned for its delicate white petals and sweet fragrance, jasmine holds significant cultural and emotional value within Pakistan. The word Jasmine comes from the Arabic word Yasmin, which translates to “Gift from God,” and the Persian Yasmine, which means fragrance. Steeped in myths and folklore, as integral to spirituality as it is to communal celebrations, the jasmine flower enfolds diverse histories of South Asian socio-cultural life. Jewellery and textiles from the Subcontinent often feature the jasmine bloom and bud as a beloved motif. The fragrance of jasmine found its way into perfume distilleries as early as the Indus Valley Civilisation; archaeologists have excavated distillation stills from its ruins. The traditional attar of jasmine oils, sandalwood and rose water, believed to have been a royal favourite. It is native to the foothills of the Western Himalayas and the Indus Valley plains of the Pakistani Punjab. The plant was cultivated and brought to the rest of the Indian subcontinent, China, the Middle East and other regions of Asia. From there, it spread into France, Italy and the Mediterranean, and eventually it was introduced to the rest of Western Europe and Great Britain. Today, Jasmines are grown and cultivated all over the world in its many varieties. Since Jasmine has been cultivated all over the world for its flowers and scent, there are different varieties, and each type of Jasmine is associated with different meanings. In Pakistan, Jasmine is a very common plant and one can find it in any garden. Respect for national plant-life.
Garden history
For thousands of years, the Jasmine has been cultivated not only for the beauty of its small, white, star-like flowers, but also for its intoxicating scent.
It is native to the foothills of the Western Himalayas and the Indus Valley plains of the Pakistani Punjab. The plant was cultivated and brought to the rest of the Indian subcontinent, China, the Middle East and other regions of Asia. From there, it spread into France, Italy and the Mediterranean, and eventually it was introduced to the rest of Western Europe and Britain. Today, Jasmine is grown and cultivated all over the world in its many varieties.
Since Jasmine has been cultivated all over the world for its flowers and scent, there are different varieties, and each type of Jasmine is associated with different meanings. In Pakistan, Jasmine is a very common plant and one can find it in any garden. Because of its attractive scent, the white Jasmine symbolizes attachment and represents amiability and modesty; therefore, Jasmine is named as the National flower of Pakistan respectively.
References
- ↑ "Jasminum". Index Nominum Genericorum. International Association for Plant Taxonomy. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
- ↑ "10. Jasminum Linnaeus". Chinese Plant Names. 15: 307. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
