Flowers of Bali

Balinese name: Soka
Indonesian name: Soka, Kembang Asoka, Asoka, Angsoka
Latin name: Ixora javanica
Family: Rubiaceae

A Javanese Ixora is a common garden plant in Bali, and its flowers are often used in offerings. There are many in hotel gardens because they bloom all year. The Indian origin of the plant is indicated by its Indonesian and Balinese names, which make reference to Asoka, the first king of India to embrace Buddhism.

Description
A medium to tall shrub that bears large, almost hemispherical clusters of flowers at the ends of its branches.

Flowers
Each clusters may have has many s 60 flowers. These are usually a uniform red or orange-red although there is a so-called white variety which is actually a very pale yellow. The individual flower is small and has four spear-shaped petals, each about 1.4 cm long. These petals lie flat and are attached to a tube about 3 cm long and only 1 mm across. The buds look like match-sticks.

Leaves
Oval, about 9 by 4 cm; older leaves may be quite a bit larger. They are medium to light green and somewhat glossy.

Balinese name: Pucuk
Indonesian name: Kembang Sepatu
Latin name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.
Family: Malvaceae

The Indonesian name for the Hibiscus means "shoe flower". This apparently comes from the Potuguese, who used the juice of the petals to blacken shoes. There are double and single varieties. The Hibiscus is to be found everywhere in Bali - in hotel gardens, along country roads, in gardens, and behind men's ears. It is commonly found in offerings and decorating tables, religious objects, and stone carvings. The roots, leaves, and flowers are sometimes used as medicine.

Description
This plant has been so highly bred and selected that there are numerous varieties and it is difficult to give a general description to fit them all. Many are single flowers but there are double varieties which look like roses.

Flowers
Red, white, or mixed; also, less commonly, yellow. Most varieties are characterized by a large five-petaled flower. The petals are typically pear-shaped, about 8 by 5 cm, prominently veined and somewhat wrinkled. The typical flower is about 13 cm across when fully opened. Petals overlap slightly at the base where they are frequently stained a contrasting color. Two concentric rings of triangular sepals are found beneath the petals. The pistil protrudes conspicuously from the flower, and ends in a five-branched stigma. The stamens grow as small appendages at the end of the pistil. The flower has no odor.

Flowering
Year-round

Balinese name: Jempiring
Indonesian name: Kaca Piring
Latin name: Gardenia florida
Family: Rubiaceae

Gardenias are found in many gardens but are not popular in hotels because they do not bloom for long. When available, they are used in offerings. The Gardenia is not to be confused with the flower called tulud nyuh by the Balinese. The latter is also white and grows on a small shrub very much like a Gardenia.

Even the leaves are similar in shape. However, the tulud nyuh flower is flat and has a small yellow center. It has an odor but is not quite as fragrant as the Gardenia. Theoretically, tulud nyuh are not supposed to be used in offerings. People who have these plants, however, generally do so anyway. The Balinese name, which is probably a corruption of the Indonesia - kaca piring - means "glass plate".

Description
This plant can grown up to 2 meters, but is usually smaller in Bali

Flowers
Are about 7 cm in diameter and have 15 to 20 white, rounded petals, up to 4 cm long and 23 cm wide. The reproductive parts are not visible until the flower ages and opens wide. In the center are 5 triangular, tan stamens is a 1.5 cm long, waxy pistil with a cleft stigma. The flowers have a pleasant fragrance. The Gardenia is a very fragile blossom, turning brown soon after being picked.

Leaves
Glossy ovals, 8 by 3 cm, dark green. They are stemless and are paired.

Benefits
This flower is a cut flower commodity, used in bouquets and corsages. The leaves can be used as a cure thrush and its roots as a cure toothache.

Fruit contains crocin (a type karotenoida), which is bright yellow as well as on saffron. Dried fruit is a coloring agent. In Japan, gardenia dye used for dyeing of textile dyes and traditional cake (wagashi) and pickled radish (Takuan).