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Plant Description:
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Murraya exotica, also known as Orange Jasmine, is a tropical or subtropical shrub that is native to Asia. It is known for its fragrant, orange-white flowers that bloom throughout the year and for its glossy, dark green leaves.
Here are some more specific details about the plant:
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Size: Murraya exotica typically grows to be 3-6 feet (1-2 meters) tall and wide, but it can be trained to grow taller or wider depending on the specific pruning techniques used.
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Leaves: The leaves of the Murraya exotica are glossy, dark green, and have a shiny appearance. They are small, oblong or lanceolate, typically 1-2 inch long and about 0.5 inch wide.
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Flowers: The flowers of the Orange Jasmine plant are small, white to pale orange, and are highly fragrant. They typically bloom from spring to fall and sometimes even year round in warm climates.
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Fruit: The plant produces small, berry-like fruits that are green when unripe and turn black when ripe. They are not typically eaten by humans, but some birds and other animals may consume them.
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Cultivation: Murraya exotica plants are easy to grow and care for in warm climates with well-drained soil, but they can be sensitive to frost or freeze, and it can be damaged by temperatures below 30°F (-1°C). they are often grown as an ornamental plant and is commonly used in hedges, as a standalone shrub, or as a container plant.
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Toxicity: Murraya exotica plant contain small amount of alkaloids which might cause skin irritation and allergic reactions if someone is highly sensitive to it. Also, The plant should be treated with care, as it can be toxic if ingested in large amounts.
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Propagation: This plant can be propagated by seeds or softwood cuttings. The best time for cuttings is late spring and early summer, when the plant is actively growing. Softwood cuttings are typically easier to root than semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings, and have a greater chance of success.
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Growing tips:
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Murraya exotica, also known as Orange Jasmine, is a tropical shrub that is relatively easy to care for. Here are some tips for growing and caring for Murraya exotica plants:
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Light: Murraya exotica prefers full sun to partial shade. In areas where summers are hot, a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal.
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Soil: Murraya exotica prefers well-drained, fertile soil. If your soil is heavy or clay-like, it is recommended to amend it with organic matter to improve drainage.
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Water: The plant prefers moist soil, but it can tolerate dry conditions once established. Water the plant deeply about once a week, or more frequently during hot or dry periods.
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Fertilizer: Feed the plant with a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
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Pruning: Murraya exotica can become leggy over time, so regular pruning is recommended to maintain its shape and encourage bushiness. Prune the plant in late winter or early spring before new growth appears.
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Pests and Diseases: The plant is generally disease and pest-free but be careful of scale insects, spider mites and mealybugs as they could be a problem.
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Climate: The Orange Jasmine is tropical or subtropical shrub and it's best grown in warm climates. It will not tolerate frost or freeze, and it can be damaged by temperatures below 30°F (-1°C)
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Indoor Growing: This plant can be grown indoors if provided with enough light. Place it near a sunny window with at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day.
By following these care tips, you should be able to successfully grow a healthy and beautiful Murraya exotica plant. Keep in mind that even with proper care, the plant might not be as fragrant as you expect it to be if grown indoor. Also, as i mentioned earlier, the plant should be treated with care, as it can be toxic if ingested in large amounts.
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Benefits:
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Murraya exotica, also known as Orange Jasmine, is a tropical shrub that is native to Asia. The plant is known for its fragrant, orange-white flowers that bloom throughout the year and for its glossy, dark green leaves. Some of the benefits of the Murraya exotica plant include:
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Ornamental value: The plant is often grown as an ornamental due to its attractive flowers and glossy leaves. It can be used in hedges, as a standalone shrub, or as a container plant.
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Fragrance: The flowers of the Orange Jasmine plant have a sweet, orange-like fragrance that can be enjoyed in gardens and indoor spaces.
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Air purifying: The Murraya exotica is known to be an air purifying plant. It is effective in removing indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene.
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Pest repellent: The plant is known to repel pests like mosquitoes and cockroaches. Its leaves are said to contain an oil that has insecticidal properties.
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Medicinal uses: The leaves of the Orange Jasmine plant have been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments such as fever, headaches, and stomach problems. The plant is also used in Ayurvedic medicine to help improve digestion.
However, It should be noted that Murraya exotica plant contain small amount of alkaloids which might cause skin irritation and allergic reactions if someone is highly sensitive to it. Also, The plant should be treated with care, as it can be toxic if ingested in large amounts.
It also important to notice that it's not recommended to keep this plant close to pets, as it may cause serious health issues if ingested by cats, dogs or birds.
