Anant, also called Gandhraj, is an evergreen shrub in the coffee family that grows between 6 to 10 feet tall with a canopy that spreads up to 5 feet wide. It grows well in climates that are warm and humid since it is native to Southeast Asia.

The flowers are either white or off-white in color. As its name Gandhraj suggests, it is an ornamental plant mainly known for its highly fragrant flowers that are used to produce perfumes, essential oils and beauty products.

The scientific name was attributed by Carl Linnaeus to Alexander Garden, a Scottish physician and botanist in honor of his prolific discoveries in botany and zoology. During this time, to help patients recover, Gardenias were placed in the sickrooms since it was believed that they could bring good luck to the patients.

It is propagated through seed germination, stem grafting, layering and cutting.

Being one of the most popular flowers in India, it symbolizes deep and everlasting love as well as purity between married couples in Hindu weddings.

Even though it has a range of medicinal properties to treat human sickness, it is highly toxic if ingested by animals.