Crape Jasmine (Kerala Tagara)

Crape jasmine is an evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and white pinwheel-shaped flowers, often double and lightly scented. Native to South and Southeast Asia, it is a common garden and temple plant in Kerala, and its stems release a milky latex when broken.

In Kerala practice the plant is known as a source of Tagara, and its root and flowers have a place in traditional preparations. The flowers have been used in folk eye-care and skin-care traditions, and the root in mouth-care preparations.