Pavazhamalli (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis)

Pavazhamalli, harsingar or parijat in Hindi, is night jasmine, a shrub whose fragrant white flowers with coral-orange tubes open at night and fall by dawn, carpeting the ground. The species name arbor-tristis, sad tree, refers to this. Fallen flowers are gathered for worship, and the orange tubes once dyed the robes of Buddhist monks. It is the state flower of West Bengal, where it is called shiuli.

Botanical name: Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L.
Family: Oleaceae
Tamil: Pavazhamalli
Hindi: Harsingar
Sanskrit: Pārijāta
Parts used: Flowers, Leaves in lists
Habit: Night-flowering shrub; white petals drop at dawn from an orange tube
Last updated: 2026-10-27

How to recognise Pavazhamalli

It is a large shrub or small tree with four-angled, rough young branches.

The leaves are opposite, oval and pointed, with a very rough, sandpaper-like surface.

The flowers have five to eight white petals around a bright orange tube, and are strongly fragrant at night.

Flowers fall at dawn, and fresh ones open the next evening.

The fruit is a flat, round, heart-shaped capsule with two seeds.

Traditional use of Pavazhamalli

Ritual

Fallen parijat flowers are gathered at dawn for worship, as they are the only flowers offered after touching the ground.

Hindu ritual practice

Dyeing

The orange flower tubes give a saffron-coloured dye for cloth and sweets.

Indian craft practice

Ayurveda

Leaf decoctions are used in Ayurveda for fevers and joint pain such as sciatica.

Ayurvedic practice

Modern notes on Pavazhamalli

The orange colour comes from crocetin, the same pigment found in saffron.

Leaf extracts have been studied for anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing effects, mostly in animals.

Legend says Krishna brought the parijata tree from heaven for his wife Satyabhama.

Pavazhamalli safety

Leaf decoctions are bitter and can upset the stomach. Fevers that last more than a day or two need a medical check.

Ecology and sourcing

It grows wild in the sub-Himalayan forests and dry hills of India.

Moths visit the night-scented flowers.

It flowers mainly from August to December.

Related plants

Also in Oleaceae

Questions about Pavazhamalli

Why does Pavazhamalli drop its flowers at dawn?

The flowers last only one night.

What does arbor-tristis mean?

Sad tree.

Is Pavazhamalli a true jasmine?

No. It is in the olive family but a different genus.

What is shiuli?

Its Bengali name.

Why are the tubes orange?

They contain crocetin.

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.