Have you ever spotted a delicate white flower that looks like a tiny spinning pinwheel? That’s the Crape Jasmine, also known as Tabernaemontana divaricata, or fondly called చక్రం పువ్వులు in Telugu.
This beautiful, evergreen shrub adds charm and serenity to gardens, temples, and homes across India. Let’s dive into the world of this underrated yet incredibly calming flower.
🌼 Introduction to Crape Jasmine
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Botanical Name: Tabernaemontana divaricata
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Common Names: Crape Jasmine, Pinwheel Flower
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Local Name (Telugu): చక్రం పువ్వు (Chakram Puvvu)
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Family: Apocynaceae
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Origin: Native to South and Southeast Asia
The Crape Jasmine gets its English nickname “Pinwheel Flower” from the way its petals spiral like a fan or wheel. It is not actually a jasmine, though its fragrance might make you think otherwise!
🌿 Plant Description
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Leaves: Glossy, dark green, and oblong in shape.
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Flowers: Pure white, five-petaled, pinwheel-like, and bloom year-round.
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Height: Can grow as a bush or small tree, up to 6-8 feet.
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Type: Evergreen, ornamental shrub.
It grows easily in tropical and subtropical climates and requires minimal care — a perfect addition to your home garden or courtyard.
🌸 Cultural & Spiritual Significance
In many Indian households and temples, చక్రం పువ్వులు are offered to deities, especially Lord Shiva. The white color of the flower symbolizes purity, peace, and devotion, making it ideal for poojas and spiritual rituals.
Its presence around temples and traditional homes gives a nostalgic, serene feel that connects us back to our roots and nature.
🌱 How to Grow and Care for Crape Jasmine
1. Light:
Thrives in full sun to partial shade. It can even bloom well in indirect light indoors.
2. Soil:
Prefers well-drained, fertile soil. Slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal.
3. Watering:
Water moderately. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. It can tolerate dry spells once established.
4. Fertilizing:
Feed with a balanced organic fertilizer every 2-3 months to encourage blooms.
5. Pruning:
Prune to maintain shape and remove dried or dead stems. It promotes bushier growth.
🌼 Benefits of Crape Jasmine
✅ Aesthetic Appeal: Its lush green foliage and white blooms brighten any landscape.
✅ Air Purifier: Like many green plants, it helps purify the air naturally.
✅ Low Maintenance: Very easy to grow with minimal care.
✅ Medicinal Uses: In traditional medicine, it’s believed to have properties that help with pain and inflammation. (Always consult a doctor before use.)
💚 Why You Should Plant Chakram Puvvulu
In today’s fast-paced life, something as simple as watching these white blooms sway in the breeze can offer a sense of calm and joy. Whether you have a big garden or a balcony pot, the Crape Jasmine is a reminder of nature’s quiet beauty.
Bring this flower into your life — for its beauty, for its spiritual essence, and for the connection it builds with nature and tradition.
📸 Do You Have a Chakram Puvvu Plant?
Share your garden photos with us or tag us on Instagram with your blooming crape jasmines! Let’s keep the love for native plants alive 💚
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