THE Ixora is a common ornamental throughout tropical areas, and comes in a variety of colours and species. Commonly known as West Indian Jasmine, the Ixora is a genus of 529 species in the Rubiaceae family, which consists of tropical evergreen trees and shrubs.
It is a fairly small, bushy shrub, usually only 5-10ft tall. There are dwarf varieties that are much smaller.
The Ixora will flower even when only a few inches high, and is commonly used as a small garden plant.

It is also a popular choice for hedges in parts of South East Asia, like in Thailand.
Though native to the tropics and subtropics the world over, its centre of diversity is in tropical areas in Asia, especially India.
But it grows commonly in subtropical climates in the United States, such as Florida.
Plants possess leathery leaves, ranging from 3 to 6 inches in length, and produce large clusters of tiny flowers.
Red Ixora flowers are commonly used in Hindu worship, as well as in Indian folk medicine.
In tropical climates such as in Guyana, they flower year round.