Flowering shrub
Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides
Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) is a shrub in the Rubiaceae family.
🌷 Flowering shrub
Gardenia is a popular flowering shrub. It's on our flower lists for 33 states.
0states where USDA records it
33Bloomipedia state lists include it
37U.S. sightings*
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 23, 2026. Our state lists also include states where people grow it in gardens, so they can outnumber USDA's wild-plant records. Planted garden shrubs are mostly excluded from research grade.
On our lists for: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin
Quick look
Gardenia jasminoides, commonly known as gardenia and cape jasmine, is an evergreen flowering plant in the coffee family Rubiaceae. It is native to the subtropical and northern tropical parts of the Far East. Wild plants range from 30 centimetres to 3 metres in height.
- It belongs to the Rubiaceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- iNaturalist has 9 research-grade sightings of it in Georgia, ranking #150 among the 183 flowers on our Georgia list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 6 research-grade sightings of it in South Carolina, ranking #135 among the 171 flowers on our South Carolina list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 5 research-grade sightings of it in Alabama, ranking #144 among the 167 flowers on our Alabama list. iNaturalist
When does it bloom?
Bloom time in the 33 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
| State | Type | Peak bloom | Sightings* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 9 |
| South Carolina | 🌷 Garden | few records (1) | 6 |
| Alabama | 🌷 Garden | few records (1) | 5 |
| Florida | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 5 |
| Louisiana | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 4 |
| Texas | 🌷 Garden | few records (1) | 3 |
| Mississippi | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 2 |
| North Carolina | 🌷 Garden | few records (1) | 2 |
| Maryland | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 1 |
| Arkansas | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| Arizona | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| California | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| Connecticut | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| Hawaii | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| Iowa | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| Illinois | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| Indiana | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| Kentucky | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| Massachusetts | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| Michigan | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| Minnesota | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| Missouri | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| New Jersey | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| New Mexico | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| New York | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| Ohio | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| Oklahoma | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| Oregon | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| Pennsylvania | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| Tennessee | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| Virginia | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| Washington | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
| Wisconsin | 🌷 Garden | no flowering records | 0 |
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe
- Unknown We couldn't find this name in NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe
- State rare plant lists
- Not listed Not on the official rare plant list in 25 of our 33 states.
See each state
- Georgia
- Not listed Not on Georgia protected plants (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 391-4-10-.09; a 2026 update is proposed). Ga. R. 391-4-10-.09
- Florida
- Not listed Not on Florida Regulated Plant Index (Fla. Admin. Code 5B-40.0055). FAC 5B-40.0055
- Texas
- Not listed Not on Texas endangered and threatened plants (31 Tex. Admin. Code § 69.8), as listed by Texas Parks and Wildlife. 31 TAC 69.8
- North Carolina
- Not listed Not on North Carolina Protected Plant Species List (02 NCAC 48F .0301). 02 NCAC 48F .0301
- Maryland
- Not listed Not on Maryland threatened and endangered plants (COMAR 08.03.08.05, .06 and .08). COMAR 08.03.08
- Arizona
- Not listed Not on Arizona Native Plant Law protected plants (Ariz. Admin. Code R3-3 Art. 11, App. A, eff. Feb. 2, 2025). AAC R3-3 App. A
- California
- Not listed Not on California state-listed endangered, threatened and rare plants (14 CCR § 670.2), per CDFW's CNDDB list (July 2026). CNDDB listed plants (July 2026)
- Connecticut
- Not listed Not on Connecticut Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Plants (RCSA 26-306; 2015 list). CT E/T/SC list
- Hawaii
- Not listed Not on Hawaii threatened and endangered plants (HAR 13-107; the state list follows the federal list), DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife. HAR 13-107
- Iowa
- Not listed Not on Iowa endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Iowa Admin. Code r. 571-77.3). IAC 571-77.3
- Illinois
- Not listed Not on Illinois List of Endangered and Threatened Flora (17 Ill. Adm. Code 1050), per the Endangered Species Protection Board's 2025 checklist. IL E&T checklist 2025
- Kentucky
- Not listed Not on Kentucky endangered and threatened plant lists (400 KAR 3:040, eff. 2026). 400 KAR 3:040
- Massachusetts
- Not listed Not on Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list (321 CMR 10.90). MESA list
- Michigan
- Not listed Not on Michigan endangered and threatened plants (Mich. Admin. Code R 299.1028, eff. March 20, 2023). R 299.1028
- Minnesota
- Not listed Not on Minnesota endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Minn. R. 6134.0300). Minn. R. 6134.0300
- Missouri
- Not listed Not on Missouri Wildlife Code endangered species (3 CSR 10-4.111), plants. 3 CSR 10-4.111
- New Jersey
- Not listed Not on New Jersey Endangered Plant Species List (N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1). N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1
- New Mexico
- Not listed Not on New Mexico state endangered plant species (19.21.2.9 NMAC). 19.21.2.9 NMAC
- New York
- Not listed Not on New York protected native plants (6 NYCRR § 193.3). 6 NYCRR § 193.3
- Ohio
- Not listed Not on Ohio endangered and threatened plants (Ohio Adm. Code 1501:18-1-03, eff. Dec. 26, 2024). OAC 1501:18-1-03
- Oregon
- Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). OAR 603-073-0070
- Pennsylvania
- Not listed Not on Pennsylvania classified native plants (17 Pa. Code Ch. 45, Subchapter B, as amended 2023). 17 Pa. Code Ch. 45
- Tennessee
- Not listed Not on Tennessee endangered plants (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0400-06-02-.04, Rare Plant Protection and Conservation Act). TN rule 0400-06-02-.04
- Virginia
- Not listed Not on Virginia endangered and threatened plant and insect species (2VAC5-320-10). 2VAC5-320-10
- Wisconsin
- Not listed Not on Wisconsin endangered and threatened species list (Wis. Admin. Code NR 27.03). NR 27.03
- South Carolina
- No list South Carolina has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's South Carolina ranks instead.
- Alabama
- No list Alabama has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Alabama ranks instead.
- Louisiana
- No list Louisiana has no state list of endangered or threatened plants separate from the federal list, so we show federal status and NatureServe's Louisiana ranks.
- Mississippi
- No list Mississippi has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Mississippi ranks instead.
- Arkansas
- No list Arkansas has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Arkansas ranks instead.
- Indiana
- No list Indiana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the DNR keeps a rare plant list, but it isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Indiana ranks instead.
- Oklahoma
- No list Oklahoma has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Oklahoma ranks instead.
- Washington
- No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead.
Checked October 23, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
For peopleCaution: partly edible, partly poisonous
NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: low). Symptoms they list: “Mild vomiting and/or diarrhea, hives.” They also note: “Flowers are edible.” NC State Extension
For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses
ASPCA's entry “Cape Jasmine” (Gardenia jasminoides) lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Mild vomiting and/or diarrhea… ASPCA
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS has no state-by-state distribution for this name, so we can't map it yet.
Names, range and relatives
Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Pacific Basin (excluding Hawaii): Introduced; Puerto Rico: Introduced.
Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Gardenia angusta, Gardenia augusta, Gardenia florida.
County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 11 counties across 1 states; the most are in Palau (11).
More from the Rubiaceae family (18 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Partridgeberry, Buttonbush, Azure bluet, Field madder, Largeflower Mexican clover, Buttonweed, Tiny bluet, Shiny-leaved wild coffee.
More Georgia flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile GAJA.
- iNaturalist, Gardenia jasminoides: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 23, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Gardenia jasminoides (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- State rare and invasive plant lists (56):
Show all 56 state lists
- Georgia: Georgia protected plants (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 391-4-10-.09; a 2026 update is proposed).
- South Carolina: South Carolina State Plant Pest List, plants (S.C. Code Regs. 27-135; Clemson Dept. of Plant Industry).
- Alabama: Alabama noxious weeds (Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-10-14-.04).
- Florida: Florida Regulated Plant Index (Fla. Admin. Code 5B-40.0055).
- Florida: Florida Noxious Weed List (Fla. Admin. Code 5B-57.007).
- Texas: Texas endangered and threatened plants (31 Tex. Admin. Code § 69.8), as listed by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
- Texas: Texas noxious and invasive plant list (4 Tex. Admin. Code § 19.300(a)).
- Mississippi: Mississippi Noxious Weed List (2 Miss. Code R. 1-3-01-136.01).
- North Carolina: North Carolina Protected Plant Species List (02 NCAC 48F .0301).
- North Carolina: North Carolina Noxious Weed List (02 NCAC 48A .1702) (the list names any non-native Lythrum; we apply it to purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), which isn't native).
- Maryland: Maryland threatened and endangered plants (COMAR 08.03.08.05, .06 and .08).
- Maryland: Maryland Prohibited Invasive Plant List (COMAR 15.06.04.06; MDA, updated July 2026).
- Arkansas: Arkansas State Plant Board noxious weeds and prohibited plants (2 CAR § 50-101).
- Arizona: Arizona Native Plant Law protected plants (Ariz. Admin. Code R3-3 Art. 11, App. A, eff. Feb. 2, 2025).
- Arizona: Arizona prohibited noxious weeds (Ariz. Admin. Code R3-4-245).
- California: California state-listed endangered, threatened and rare plants (14 CCR § 670.2), per CDFW's CNDDB list (July 2026).
- California: California noxious weed species (3 CCR § 4500).
- Connecticut: Connecticut Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Plants (RCSA 26-306; 2015 list).
- Connecticut: Connecticut prohibited invasive plants (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22a-381d).
- Hawaii: Hawaii threatened and endangered plants (HAR 13-107; the state list follows the federal list), DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife.
- Hawaii: Hawaii noxious weed list (HAR 4-68).
- Iowa: Iowa endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Iowa Admin. Code r. 571-77.3).
- Iowa: Iowa noxious weeds (Iowa Code § 317.1A).
- Illinois: Illinois List of Endangered and Threatened Flora (17 Ill. Adm. Code 1050), per the Endangered Species Protection Board's 2025 checklist.
- Illinois: Illinois Official List of Exotic Weeds (17 Ill. Adm. Code 1100.30, Illinois Exotic Weed Act).
- Indiana: Indiana prohibited invasive terrestrial plants (312 IAC 18-3-25).
- Kentucky: Kentucky endangered and threatened plant lists (400 KAR 3:040, eff. 2026).
- Kentucky: Kentucky noxious weeds and invasive plants on state rights-of-way (KRS 176.051; species list from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet).
- Massachusetts: Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list (321 CMR 10.90).
- Massachusetts: Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List (MDAR) (Text from MDAR's 2023 scientific-name PDF (mass.gov blocks automated downloads); 2024-2026 additions listed on the mass.gov page: Alnus glutinosa, Pyrus calleryana, Miscanthus sinensis, Aralia elata, Rhodotypos scandens, Symplocos paniculata.).
- Michigan: Michigan endangered and threatened plants (Mich. Admin. Code R 299.1028, eff. March 20, 2023).
- Michigan: Michigan prohibited and restricted species (NREPA Part 413 and the 2026 Invasive Species Order), as listed by Michigan's Invasive Species Program.
- Minnesota: Minnesota endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Minn. R. 6134.0300).
- Minnesota: Minnesota Noxious Weed List (Minn. Stat. § 18.79; Minnesota Department of Agriculture, updated January 2026).
- Missouri: Missouri Wildlife Code endangered species (3 CSR 10-4.111), plants.
- Missouri: Missouri noxious weed list (2 CSR 70-45.005).
- New Jersey: New Jersey Endangered Plant Species List (N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1).
- New Jersey: New Jersey prohibited invasive plant species (Invasive Species Management Act; propagation banned from Jan 1, 2027, sale from Jan 1, 2030).
- New Mexico: New Mexico state endangered plant species (19.21.2.9 NMAC).
- New Mexico: New Mexico Noxious Weed List (NM Department of Agriculture, updated June 2020).
- New York: New York protected native plants (6 NYCRR § 193.3).
- New York: New York prohibited and regulated invasive species (6 NYCRR Part 575).
- Ohio: Ohio endangered and threatened plants (Ohio Adm. Code 1501:18-1-03, eff. Dec. 26, 2024).
- Ohio: Ohio invasive plant species (Ohio Adm. Code 901:5-30-01).
- Oklahoma: Oklahoma Noxious Weed Law (2 O.S. § 3-220).
- Oregon: Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070).
- Oregon: Oregon noxious weed quarantine, A and B weeds (OAR 603-052-1200).
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania classified native plants (17 Pa. Code Ch. 45, Subchapter B, as amended 2023).
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Noxious Weed List (3 Pa.C.S. § 1519, PA Dept. of Agriculture) (PDA's page spells garlic mustard “Allaria petiolata”; we match it as Alliaria petiolata).
- Tennessee: Tennessee endangered plants (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0400-06-02-.04, Rare Plant Protection and Conservation Act).
- Tennessee: Tennessee Pest Plant List (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-06-24-.02).
- Virginia: Virginia endangered and threatened plant and insect species (2VAC5-320-10).
- Virginia: Virginia noxious weeds (2VAC5-317-20, Tier 1, 2 and 3).
- Washington: Washington State noxious weed list (WAC 16-750-005, -011, -015).
- Wisconsin: Wisconsin endangered and threatened species list (Wis. Admin. Code NR 27.03).
- Wisconsin: Wisconsin invasive species rule (Wis. Admin. Code NR 40.04 prohibited, NR 40.05 restricted).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 23, 2026.
- Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension; ASPCA.
- Photo: Kathy Richardson via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.