madhu kamini plant
An evergreen plant with many climate-resilient properties, Madhukamini blossoms at the onset of the monsoon, painting the landscape in lush green and white and filling the air with a citrusy-sweet fragrance. The occasional pink, violet, and magenta “Jarhul” flowers punctuate their presence in neighborhood parks, while blooming Madhukamini, with bees hovering, makes for a sight to behold. Sadabahar and Champa add to the monsoonal greenery, as do the mesmerizing white ‘gajras’ of Jasmine sold at traffic signals and local markets.
In the Indian subcontinent, Madhukamini is associated with mythical narratives. Many references in local literature hint at the flower’s “divine prowess,” and it is referred to as “swag se aaya pool (flower from the heavens)” or “the divine flower.” Parijaat and Aparajita are two other flowers with similar references.
In Delhi, these shrubs are commonly found in residential areas, parks, gardens, and homes. Madhukamini’s scents are calm, citrusy, and meditative, attracting bees, butterflies, insects, and small birds; the white/creamish clusters are beautiful biodiversity magnets, making its plantation relevant as an ornamental landscape plant. They are also popularly used as live fencing plants or topiaries in hedgerows in urban spaces, making them a suitable choice for green infrastructure alternatives in cities.
The flowers also have medicinal uses, such as calming therapies, pain relaxation, etc. Since they are also a hotspot for bees, the flowers are also used for extracting honey. It is said that honey extracted from these blooms has a citrusy flavour. Madhukamini has small red fruits and belongs to the same family as the ‘curry’ (Murraya koenigii) leaf tree. However, its leaves are not used for cooking.
