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The golden gardenia (Gardenia carinata) belongs to Rubiaceae (the Madder family). It is a small evergreen tree that is native to Thailand and the Malaysia Peninsula. This tree grows in tropical lowland and hill forests, and can reach 6-15 m in height. The leaves are elliptic to obovate with entire margin and prominent venation. The flowers are fragrant, pinwheels-like, and bloom nearly all year round. They are initially white, but turn yellow and then orange over the course of 2-3 days. The fruits are round with 5 distinct, evenly spaced ridges, and yellowish green and later turn brown-black when dry.
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