The whole plant is cut for fencing farms as protection from goats, etc., and the twigs are stuck on the tops of compound walls.
GARDENIA TERNIFOLIA Thunberg.—Gauden kura. RUBIACEAE.
This species, similar to G. erubescens, is found in the same situations, but is less plentiful as a rule. It may be seen mixed with the other species or over considerable areas by itself. It is, or can be, a taller species, occurring as a tree about 20 feet high with a less spreading habit, and a flat-topped crown. It branches from just above the ground and the branches are crooked and very springy, but not so stout and blunt as those of G. erubescens, in fact, the straight twigs of this species are very distinctive.
A comparison with G. erubescens shows G. ternifolia to be a larger or taller tree, less shrub-like; to have greener bark; to have smaller, darker, rougher and more crinkled leaves with pointed tips, and to have fibrous, grey-green fruits which vary exceedingly in size and in shape.
The Bark is smooth and grey or green with a powdery surface, and there are small, thin, grey scales which leave greenish-yellow scars. The end of the twig is covered with knobs of soft green cork. The slash is yellow, with green edges.
The Wood is yellow, close-grained, tough and hard to cut with the axe.
The Leaves are about 4 inches long and 1½ inches wide, dark green and slightly rough on the upper surface with a white mid-rib raised on both sides. The margin is crinkly and the tip pointed. They spring in little rosettes from the ends of the twigs.
The Flowers vary in size; are generally smaller than those of the other species but may be larger, 3½ inches across and with a corolla tube the same length. They are white and the under surface of the petals is very shiny. They have 6 petals, 6 stamens, consisting only of long anthers attached to the mouth of the corolla round a clubbed and green-ridged stigma. The calyx is irregular and a very bright, shiny dark green. The flowers are highly scented and turn yellow when fertilised. They appear about December and are very conspicuous by their size, colour and perfume.