Gardenia volkensii (Bushveld Gardenia)

Native to tropical and southern Africa, this small tree grows in open woodland, bushveld and thickets. A rounded crown carries arching branches with smooth, pale gray bark. Glossy, spoon-shaped leaves usually occur in groups of three near the ends of short shoots. Large, solitary flowers open at night, with a long tube and six to nine spreading lobes. The fragrant white flowers turn yellow as they age. Rounded fruits have lengthwise ribs and contain many seeds in pulp. Monkeys, baboons, elephants and large antelope eat the fruits, while giraffes, kudu and impala browse the leaves. Its very hard wood is used for carving. Photographed in Florida.