The Gardenia thunbergia is an evergreen tree covered with glossy leaves. Such is my fascination with this interesting indigenous tree that I am returning to it for the fourth time! It occurs naturally in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and up into Mozambique, mainly in evergreen forests and forest margins. It has also been grown in gardens: there is one in a small public park around the corner from our home, at least one in the grounds of a school down the road from us, and a few still growing at the site of the long abandoned golf course at the top of the hill.
This tree makes me feel that it is almost prehistoric for the large fruits, which are hard and woody, do not burst open and can remain on the bush for years. The seeds are dispersed only by passing through the gut of animals such as elephants, buffalo or even kudu eating the fruit. These large, oval fruits start off being a pale grey-green in colour, with many, small, raised white dots scattered over the surface.
In an earlier post I featured the flowers which were mainly past their prime. I have at last walked past a tree at the right time so that I can show you these handsome white saucer-shaped flowers that appear during the summer. The shape of the flowers give rise to the Afrikaans name, Wilde Katjiepiering (wild kitten saucer). They have a delicate scent too, especially during the late afternoon and the evening.
It is interesting to learn that a specimen of Gardenia thunbergia was cultivated under glass at Kew Gardens as early as 1773.
Something Over Tea 
A lovely flower and fruit like a lozenge shaped stone
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The fruit is large enough to fill your hand. I was glad to find a new one for in the past I have featured very old, fibrous looking fruit.
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It really is one of our most beautiful trees!
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I agree – and it is such a privilege to see them growing in the wild.
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I’m glad you’ve returned to what is to me a most exotic tree. Those large white droopy petals are beautiful.
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Thank you. I have been keeping an eye out to see when the new blossoms come out.
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A beautiful flower with overlapping petals, and very interesting fruit, esp. the co-evolution with being eaten by animals for dispersal.
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I find that aspect of the tree particularly interesting too 🙂
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Lovely & unusual. I grow gardenias, but I have never seen these. Thanks for posting!
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Thank you, Cindy. I was pleased to find new flowers and a fresh fruit this time 🙂 🙂
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I am familiar with the small indoor variety. This is a spectacular tree; the closeup photo of its flower is lovely.
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Thank you very much, Belinda.
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Thank-you!
I have used a Gardenia for many years as our Christmas Tree. Sadly my old (good sized) tree couldn’t move with me, so a new one was potted a few weeks ago. Us Danes use real candles on our Christmas trees, and the (almost) horizontal growth of the branches is perfect for hanging the candle holders on!
And then a month or so after Christmas, it redecorates itself with its beautiful flowers.
Best regards
Kathryn
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It must have made a wonderful Christmas tree. I have used many indigenous trees for this purpose in the past, more recently a potted spekboom. When my youngest granddaughter saw it though (she was about five then) she announced that “this isn’t a real Christmas tree, Granny” and so now I pluck one of the self-seeded pine trees on the outskirts of town for the purpose.
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