Botanical name: Jasminum multiflorum    Family: Oleaceae (Jasmine family)
Synonyms: Jasminum pubescens, Jasminum gracillimum, Mogorium multiflorum

Star jasmine can be thought of as an evergreen, branching vine that can be trained as a shrub, or as a spreading, vine-like shrub. It is usually seen as an open, spreading, weeping (with hanging branches) mound, 3-10 ft tall and just as wide. The stems and leaves are covered with a downy pubescence (micro hair) that gives the plant an overall grayish-green appearance. Leaves are opposite, simple; leaf-stalk 5-10 mm, densely hairy. Leaf blade si ovate-heart-shaped, often broadly so, 3-8 x 1.5-5 cm, papery, with scattered hairy on both surfaces. There leaves may be completely hairless, except on midrib and veins, base heart-shaped, tip pointed to sometimes slightly tapering, mucronulate. Primary veins are 3 or 4 on each side of midrib. Flowers are borne in congested clusters at branch-ends on small side shoots, many flowered. Bracts are leafy, basal ovate, 1.5-2 cm, upper linear, 3-5 mm. Flower-stalks are 0-2 mm. Calyx is densely hairy; tube about 1 mm; sepals 6-9, thread-like, 5-7 mm. Flowers are white, generally scentless, tube 1.2-1.5 cm; petals 7-9, pointed, 1-1.5 cm. Known by the name Kundo, it is very popular in Manipur. In Indian mythology, Kunda is known for its whiteness. So, instead of the common western phrase 'white as snow', what often appears in Hindu mythological stories is 'white as kund'. Flowers appear in bunches, almost throughout the year, and even the buds look beautiful. In Manipur, Kundo flowers are used in worship, and are an essential part of a marriage ceremony. The bride garlands the groom with two Kundo flower garlands. The groom then takes one of the two and garlands the bride.

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The flower labeled Kund is ...