crape jasmine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowSpecialist, Botanical, Literary, Regional (especially South Asian contexts)
Quick answer
What does “crape jasmine” mean?
A tropical evergreen shrub or small tree (Tabernaemontana divaricata) of the dogbane family, native to South and Southeast Asia, known for its glossy green leaves and fragrant white, waxy flowers that resemble jasmine.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tropical evergreen shrub or small tree (Tabernaemontana divaricata) of the dogbane family, native to South and Southeast Asia, known for its glossy green leaves and fragrant white, waxy flowers that resemble jasmine.
Also known as pinwheel flower or Nero's crown. The plant has cultural and religious significance in parts of Asia, often used in temple offerings and traditional medicine. Its milky latex is toxic. The term can also appear in poetic or descriptive contexts to evoke tropical gardens, fragrance, or exotic beauty.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant dialectal difference in meaning. The spelling 'crape' is the older, more established botanical term; 'crepe jasmine' (using the more common modern spelling) is a frequent variant, especially in American sources.
Connotations
Neutral botanical term in both varieties. May carry a slightly more exotic, colonial-era garden connotation in British English due to historical plant introductions.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, used primarily by horticulturalists, botanists, and gardeners with an interest in tropical plants.
Grammar
How to Use “crape jasmine” in a Sentence
The [adjective] crape jasmine grew [location].They planted a crape jasmine [purpose clause, e.g., to create a hedge].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; potentially in horticultural trade or export/import of ornamental plants.
Academic
Used in botanical texts, horticulture papers, and ethnobotanical studies on traditional medicinal plants.
Everyday
Virtually unused unless by specialist gardeners. Most would say 'a white flowering bush'.
Technical
Used precisely in botany (family Apocynaceae) and horticulture for plant identification and cultivation guides.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crape jasmine”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crape jasmine”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crape jasmine”
- Misspelling as 'crepe jasmine' (common but considered a variant).
- Using it as a general term for any white, fragrant flower.
- Incorrectly classifying it as a true jasmine (it is in the dogbane family, not olive family).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Despite the name, crape jasmine (Tabernaemontana divaricata) is in the Apocynaceae (dogbane) family, while true jasmines are in the Oleaceae (olive) family.
In temperate climates, it can be grown in a conservatory or as a houseplant if given bright, indirect light and high humidity, but it thrives best outdoors in tropical or subtropical zones.
The name refers to the crinkled, wrinkled texture of the flower's petals, which resembles crape/crepe fabric or paper.
Yes, all parts of the plant contain a milky latex that is toxic if ingested and can cause skin irritation. It should be handled with care and kept away from children and pets.
A tropical evergreen shrub or small tree (Tabernaemontana divaricata) of the dogbane family, native to South and Southeast Asia, known for its glossy green leaves and fragrant white, waxy flowers that resemble jasmine.
Crape jasmine is usually specialist, botanical, literary, regional (especially south asian contexts) in register.
Crape jasmine: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkreɪp ˈdʒæzmɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkreɪp ˈdʒæzmɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CRêPE paper' which is crinkled, like the petals of this JASMINE-scented flower = CRAPE JASMINE.
Conceptual Metaphor
BOTANICAL SPECIMEN AS CULTURAL ARTIFACT (e.g., 'The crape jasmine was a living relic of the colonial garden').
Practice
Quiz
What is a key distinguishing feature of the crape jasmine flower?