Nyctanthes Arbor-tristis - Names and Symbolism

Names and Symbolism

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (sometimes incorrectly cited as Nyctanthes arbortristis or Nyctanthes arbor tristis) is commonly known as

Sewali pronounced as Hkhewali in Assamese 'Shefali (শেফালী) or Shiuli (শিউলি) in Bengali. Official State flower of West Bengal.

  • Night-flowering Jasmine
  • Coral Jasmine
  • Parijat (also spelled Paarijat or Paarijaata)
  • Harsingar
  • Shephalika,Parijatha, Parijataka, Ragapushpi, Kharapatraka, Prajakta

Nalakumkumaka, Harshingarapushpak, Suklangi, Rajanihasa, Malika, Aparajitha, Vijaya, Nisahasa, Praharshini, Pravalanalika, Vathari, bhoothakeshi, Seetamanjari, Subaha, Nishipushpika (in Sanskrit)

  • Paarijaat(ಪಾರಿಜಾತ) or Goli (ಗೋಳಿ) in Kannada
  • Paarijaat (पारिजात) or Paarijatak(पारिजातक) in Marathi
  • Pavazha malli in Tamil (Also spelled pavaza malli or pavala malli)
  • Prajakta or Prajakt in Sanskrit
  • Pagadamalle in telugu
  • සේපාලිකා in Sinhala
  • Shephali/Shefali (ଶେଫାଳି) or Ganga Shiuli (ଗଙ୍ଗ ଶିଉଳି) in Oriya

The tree is sometimes called the "tree of sorrow", because the flowers lose their brightness during daytime; the scientific name arbor-tristis also means "sad tree". The flowers can be used as a source of yellow dye for clothing. The flower is the official flower of the state of West Bengal, India, and for Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand.

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