Malligai, mogra in Hindi, is Arabian jasmine, the intensely fragrant white jasmine of Indian hair garlands, temple offerings and weddings. Madurai malli holds a geographical indication, and Tamil Nadu grows more jasmine than any other state. It is the national flower of the Philippines, as sampaguita, and of Indonesia. In China it scents jasmine tea. Royal jasmine, Jasminum grandiflorum, is a different species.
- Botanical name
- Jasminum sambac (L.) Aiton
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Tamil
- Malligai
- Hindi
- Mogra
- Sanskrit
- Mallikā
- Parts used
- Flowers, Sometimes oil
- Habit
- Twining or shrubby jasmine grown for its fragrant flowers
- Last updated
- 2026-10-30
How to recognise Malligai
It is a scrambling shrub or climber, often pruned into a bush.
The leaves are simple, oval and glossy, in opposite pairs or whorls of three.
The flowers are pure white, single or many-layered double, and very fragrant, especially in the evening.
Flowers turn pinkish as they fade.
Royal jasmine has feathery, divided leaves and starry flowers.
Traditional use of Malligai
Ritual
Malligai garlands are offered in temples, worn in the hair and exchanged at weddings.
South Indian ritual practice
Kitchen
In Fujian, China, green tea is layered with fresh jasmine flowers to make jasmine tea.
Chinese tea practice
Perfumery
Flowers are extracted into jasmine sambac absolute for perfumes and attars.
Indian perfume practice
Modern notes on Malligai
Its scent includes benzyl acetate, linalool and indole.
Jasmine buds are picked in the early morning and sold by weight at flower markets such as Madurai’s.
Prices swing sharply with festival and wedding seasons.
Malligai safety
Jasmine is safe to handle and wear. Strong floral scents can trigger headaches or asthma in sensitive people.
Ecology and sourcing
It probably originated in South or South-east Asia.
It rarely sets seed and is grown from cuttings.
Night-flying moths visit its flowers.
Related plants
Also in Oleaceae
Questions about Malligai
What is Madurai malli?
Arabian jasmine from Madurai, with a geographical indication.
Is Malligai the same as mogra?
Yes.
Is Malligai used in jasmine tea?
Yes, in China.
When does Malligai smell strongest?
In the evening.
Is Malligai the same as royal jasmine?
No. Royal jasmine is Jasminum grandiflorum.
How do I keep a garland fresh?
Wrap it in a damp cloth and keep it cool; the buds open in the evening.
Sources
- Jasminum sambac (L.) Aiton — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q1356614 (Jasminum sambac)
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.