noun
gardenia; Cape jasmine
Refers to the plant Gardenia jasminoides, known for its fragrant white flowers. Commonly used in gardens and as a traditional dye.
庭にくちなしの花が咲いています。
Gardenia flowers are blooming in the garden.
くちなしの実は染料として使われます。
Gardenia fruits are used as a dye.
Kanji spelling, rarely used in everyday writing. The reading しし is obsolete.
Alternative kanji spelling, very rare. The reading さんしし is obsolete.
The name くちなし (kuchinashi) literally means 'without a mouth', referring to the fruit that does not split open when ripe. The kanji 梔子 is a Chinese borrowing.