Nyctanthes
(from nyae, nyctos, night, and anthos, a flower; in allusion to the flowers opening at the approach of night, and falling off at the break of day). ORD. Olecece. A monotypic genus. The species is an erect, spreading, stove shrub, or small tree, thriving in a compost of sandy loam and fibry peat, to which may be added a small quantity of sand and charcoal. Propagated, in May, by cuttings of half-ripened shoots, inserted in sand, under a bell glass, in bottom heat.
N. arbor-tristis. Tree of Sadness. fl. white, numerous, very fragrant, disposed in a large, terminal, leafy, cross-armed panicle, composed of small, five-flowered, terminal umbellets; corolla salver-shaped. July. l. on short petioles, cordate, acuminated, entire or coarsely serrated, scabrous. Branches tetragonal. h. 10ft. to 18ft. India, 1781. (B. M. 4900; B. R. 399.)