The National Flower of Philippine is Sampaguita. Its scientific name is jasmine sambac also known as Arabian Jasmine, Asian jasmine, sacred jasmine, sambac jasmine and Asiatic jasmine. It belongs to the family of Oleaceae, order of Lamiales and kingdom of Plantae. The name sampaguita is based on Philippines language the flower is basically native of Jasmine.
It grows as evergreen plant unlike common jasmine as they grow on smaller bushes or trees. In that sense it is little bit different from well-known parent jasmine. However flower and scent of both are one and the same thing.
It is inherently belongs to a small region in the eastern Himalayas in Bhutan and also its neighbor Asian countries neighboring Pakistan and india.
It is cultivation takes place n many regions of the world but it includes most area of South and Southeast Asia. In addition to Bhutan it is also inborn in some scattered regions like Madagascar, Christmas Island, Chiapas, Mauritius, the Maldives, Cambodia, Java, Central America, southern Florida, the Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Lesser Antilles.
- Read also: Chamomile Flower
The Philippines flower is a small flower plant or tree. Its height is ranging from 0.5 to 3 m (1.6 to 9.8 ft.)
It has variable nature due to natural hybridization spontaneous mutation, and auto polyploidy.
Its cultivated plant is grow and reproduced without seeds. The flower plant repeated uniquely by cuttings, layering, or in the form of inducing of root tree branch including this it uses other methods for sexual procreation.
The shape of the leaves are similar to oval or it is egg-shaped.
The length of the leaves is four to twelve centimeter 4 to 12.5 cm (1.6 to 4.9 in) and its width is two to seven centimeter approximately that is 2 to 7.5 cm (0.79 to 2.95 in).
It is opposite in some phenomenon unlike other flowers its leaves are not arranged in either side. But they are streamline and smooth excluding little hairs in the base of the leaves.it is yearly flower grow continuously in maximum months of the year.
It produce flowers in shape of group which consist of three to twelve 3 to 12 together at the ends of branches.it has very powerful fragrance with a white corolla.
The diameter of that corolla is 2 to 3 cm (0.79 to 1.18 in) and contain five to nine 5 to 9 parts/portion. Mostly its opening time stars from 5pm to 9pm in the evening and closing time is early morning.
Its life span can be twelve to twenty hours in a single day. The color of the fruit is purple and black berry whose diameter mostly 1 cm or (0.39 in).
Its major cultivation is performed due to the impressive, attractive, sweet and pleasant scented flowers. The flowers may be used as a fragrant ingredient in perfumes and jasmine tea.
It is known as the Arabian jasmine in English. It is the national flower of the Philippines, where it is known as sampaguita, as well as being one of the three national flowers of Indonesia, where it is known as melati putih.
10 Facts about Sampaguita Flower
- Sampaguita is the native and most popular flower of Philippine.
- It is use in the meaning of love, fidelity, devotion, dedication, purity, divine hope.
- Philippines, Indonesia and other Asian countries use it in wedding, anniversaries and religious ceremonies to symbolize purity, love, devotion, and divine hope.
- Oil extracted from the jasmine flower is being used extensively in cosmetics and perfumery, having relaxing properties, sedative and aphrodisiac (intensifies sexual desire). Such as creams, oils, soaps, and shampoos.
- The Jasmine oil, which is a very popular fragrant oil, contains benzyl acetate, terpinol, jasmone, benzyl benzoate, linalool, several alcohols, and other compounds.
- Jasmine leaves are either evergreen or deciduous.
- The nectar (sweet liquid secretion that is attractive to pollinators ) of the fragrant flowers of Carolina Jasmine, Gelsemium sempervirens, is poisonous, although its dried roots are used in medicinal preparations
- Indian call it the “Queen of the Night” because of its intoxicating (extremely exciting as if by alcohol or a narcotic) perfume that is released at night.
- Several countries and states consider jasmines as a national symbol Hawaii, Indonesia ,Pakistan ,Philippines and Thailand.
- In countries like India, this plant is commonly used to honor gods and the dead, making it ideal for flower offerings because it symbolizes hope and spirituality. Jasmine is also used to make Gajra garlands in India, which are worn on special occasions as a charm.
- For Westerners, white jasmine is a symbol of emotion, of eternal love and sensuality, making it an ideal gift for a loved one, especially a partner. It’s beautiful and delicious smell makes it a sophisticated and beautiful alternative. In some cultures, Jasmine represents appreciation and good luck.
- The popular song has the same name that is the song“Collar de Sampaguita”
- In Indonesia it represents life, beauty and wedding festival, spirit and death
- In Pakistan both the bride and groom wear garlands of white jasmine and red roses on their wedding day.
- In food use of this flower it is use in flavoring of ice cream.
Sampaguita Flower meaning:
It is believed that the word sampaguita is derived from the Spanish words “sumpa kita” which means “I promise you.” In many south Asian regions it is believed as flower of love .it is also commonly known as ‘Jasminum sambac’ which have close relation with jasmine family, in this connection it also known as jasmine, Philippine Jasmine or Arabian Jasmine.
The name Sampaguita also use in the meaning of love, fidelity, devotion, dedication, purity, divine hope.in Indonesia its common name is melati
Why is Sampaguita the national flower of Philippine ?
Every country has unique emblems which range from anthem, uniform, tree, bird, animal and a flag alongside this country also have a national flower to represent its gardens, trade and forest habitation. All the national flowers signify certain principles that a nation stands for. Let’s know the Philippine national flower.
The most attractive, beautiful flower Sampaguita (Jasminum sambac) has very strong and powerful fragrance and large number of uses in medicine and traditional celebration.in Philippine it is offer and use on special occasion.
The chaplets or circlets made of this flowers wore for photography, on the winning of games and on 1st position in schools. It is also placed on the images of dead people which decorated on walls, benches and daises.
In addition to this it is presented to visitors, as a honor to the student in convocation or other deserving student on different occasion, on wedding ceremony and in some country on the day of funeral.
Several meter long string or rope is decorated with this flower which especially use to decorate formal government or state events like the state occasion Palace, wedding and government or private inauguration and ribbon cutting ceremony.
It was approved by the Philippines as the national flower on 1 February 1934 via Proclamation No. 652 issued by American Governor-General Frank Murphy. Due to all these reasons and the love of the public it becomes the national flower of Philippine.
Some other similar flowers are: Hibiscus Syriacus Flower and Edelweiss Flower