SA Garden Catalogue: Common Wrightia

The weather in July so far, seems to hover between days that were quite hot and balmy (and air polluted) with periods of cooler rainy intervals. This seems good for the garden (and for me since I do not really have to water it too often, ha ha!). Many more plants are in blossom since our tropical summer started.

The Common Wrightia or Water jasmine (or simply Melati in Malay) has quite a few inflorescence now in the garden. Usually a small  tree 2-5 metres tall, it has small leaves and very fragrant small dangling white flowers, produced all year round. It is a plant that is quite often used for bonsai. It is also a hedge material and widely planted because of its medicinal qualities. I have only one plant in a container and it has grown quite tall. I have not 'bonsai-d' it as I do not favour this form in plants.

Common name: Common wrightia, Water jasmine
Scientific name: Wrightia religiosa
Malay name: Melati
Family: Periwinkle
Origin: Malaysia (Kedah & Perlis) and Thailand





The white flowers of the Common wrightia are more common in the single form than the double flowered form. Propagation is easy, by seed from narrow fruits shaped like a pair of horns, or by stem or root cuttings. No insects seem to have pollinated the flowers so I have never seen any fruits on the plant in my garden. The Common wrightia loves the full sun and so does very well in our tropics. Just do not forget to water often.

Melati buds ready to bloom in the garden (CNB)