The genus was named by Carl Linnaeus and John Ellis after Dr. Alexander Garden (1730-1791), a Scottish-born Americannaturalist.[2]

They are evergreen shrubs and small trees growing to 1–15 metres (3.3–49.2 ft) tall. The leaves are opposite or in whorls of three or four, 5–50 centimetres (2.0–19.7 in) long and 3–25 centimetres (1.2–9.8 in) broad, dark green and glossy with a leathery texture. Theflowers are solitary or in small clusters, white, or pale yellow, with a tubular-based corolla with 5-12 lobes (petals) from 5–12 centimetres (2.0–4.7 in) diameter. Flowering is from about mid-spring to mid-summer, and many species are strongly scented.

FUNCATION:

1.Alleviate restkessness and irrirability

Gardenia tea can be used for yin deficiency disorders, which include irritability, restlessness, sensations of tightness in  the chest and insomnia. Gardenia is also used in formulas to treat anxiety and insomnia. 

2.Urinary treatment

Gardenia is often used in Chinese herbal formulas to treat bladder infections and painful urinary dysfunction resulting from damp-heat syndrome, which disturbs the function of the bladder.