Spanish jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum)

Pichi or jathi malli in Tamil, chameli in Hindi and jati in Sanskrit, is royal or Spanish jasmine, a climbing jasmine with feathery leaves and large, white, intensely fragrant flowers tinged pink outside. It is one of the main jasmines grown for perfume, and Tamil Nadu produces much of the world’s jasmine concrete and absolute. Madurai malli, the jasmine of hair garlands, is a different species, Jasminum sambac.

Botanical name: Jasminum grandiflorum L.
Family: Oleaceae
Tamil: Pichchi malligai
Hindi: Chameli
Sanskrit: Jātī
Parts used: Flowers, Oil
Habit: Climbing jasmine with pinnate leaves; the attar flower
Last updated: 2026-10-27

How to recognise Spanish jasmine

It is a woody climber or scrambling shrub with slender, green stems.

The leaves are pinnate, with five to nine small, pointed leaflets.

The flowers are white, with five spreading petals and a slender tube, pinkish on the outside of the bud.

Flowers open in the evening and are strongly fragrant.

Jasminum sambac has simple, oval leaves and rounder, often double flowers.

Traditional use of Spanish jasmine

Perfumery

Flowers are picked at dawn before they open fully and extracted into concrete and absolute for perfumes.

Tamil Nadu and French perfume practice

Ritual

Jathi malli flowers are strung into garlands for temples and weddings.

South Indian ritual practice

Ayurveda

Jati leaves are chewed in Ayurveda for mouth ulcers.

Ayurvedic practice

Modern notes on Spanish jasmine

Its scent comes from benzyl acetate, linalool, jasmone and indole.

Around 8,000 flowers yield just a gram of jasmine absolute.

The perfume town of Grasse in France once grew this jasmine on a large scale.

Spanish jasmine safety

Jasmine is safe to handle. Concentrated jasmine absolute can irritate sensitive skin.

Ecology and sourcing

It grows wild in the Himalaya and Arabia and is cultivated widely.

Night-flying moths pollinate its flowers.

It is propagated by cuttings.

Related plants

Also in Oleaceae

Questions about Spanish jasmine

Is Spanish jasmine Madurai malli?

No. That is Jasminum sambac.

Why is Spanish jasmine called royal jasmine?

For its large, fragrant flowers.

When does Spanish jasmine smell strongest?

In the evening and early morning.

Is Spanish jasmine used in perfume?

Yes, as jasmine absolute.

What is chameli?

Its Hindi name.

Can I grow Spanish jasmine at home?

Yes, from cuttings on a sunny trellis.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.