Cape Jasmine is a native plant whose Chinese name “梔” derives from its orange fruits resembling an ancient wine vessel named “卮”. The white Cape Jasmine flowers emit a delicate fragrance and can be extracted for various aromatic products. The ripe fruits contain crocin and can be used as a natural yellow dye, whereas the dried fruits are also used in traditional Chinese medicine, making it both a beautiful and practical plant.

Cape Jasmine is the larval food plant for the butterfly Green Flash. Female butterflies will lay their eggs on top of the fruits, and once hatched, the caterpillars will make their home inside the fruits until they emerge as adult butterflies.