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Rubiaceae
Luculia
Luculia gratissima
Rare beauty and heavenly fragrance.
- Family
- Rubiaceae
- Genus
- Luculia
- Native to
- Himalayas, Nepal, Bhutan, Yunnan
- Bloom season
- Fall, Winter
- Type
- evergreen shrub or small tree
- Height
- 200–500 cm
- Sunlight
- part shade
- Soil
- acidic, moist, well-drained, humus-rich
- Water
- medium
- Hardiness
- 9–11
- Lifespan
- perennial shrub; 15–25 years
Did you know
- The species name 'gratissima' means 'most pleasing' — a tribute to its intensely sweet fragrance.
- The scent is often described as a blend of jasmine, gardenia, and vanilla, carrying far on cool autumn air.
- It is related to coffee and gardenias, all sharing the family Rubiaceae.
- Luculia is notoriously difficult to grow outside its native Himalayan cloud forest conditions.
- The Nepali name is 'musak paat', and the plant grows wild at elevations of 1,500–2,500 meters.
Color meanings
Pink
exquisite delight
Rose
gratitude and appreciation