Gardenia taitensis,[2]àalso calledàTahitian gardeniaàoràtiaré flower, is a species ofàplantàin the familyàRubiaceae. It is anàevergreenàtropical shrubàthat grows to 4 m tall and has glossy dark green leaves & x28;5ââ¬â16àcm long& x29; that are oppositely arranged along the stem. The flower is creamy white and pinwheel-shaped with 5ââ¬â9 lobes & x28;each lobe 2ââ¬â4àcm long& x29; and fragrant. Native to the highland shores of theàSouth Pacific, it has the distinction of being one of the few cultivated plants native toàPolynesia. It is theànational floweràofàFrench Polynesiaàand theàCook Islands.
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