This is the national flower of Pakistan, the sockeye (scientific name: Jasminum grandiflorum).
An evergreen shrub of the olive family, jasmine originates from India and the Himalayas. The fragrant oil extracted from the flowers is called jasmine, and is used as an ingredient in perfumes and jasmine tea.
In fact, jasmine is not the only flower from which jasmine can be obtained, but also the matsurika (scientific name: Jasminum sambac). The matsurika is the national flower of Indonesia and the Philippines.
Tonight, with a cup of jasmine tea in hand, think of Pakistan, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Learn more about Pakistan → "What is Debt Slavery? : Pakistan's grim situation"Pakistan's Hidden Conflict: Baluchistan"
Learn more about Indonesia → "Indonesia: Education for 55 Million Students"
Learn more about the Philippines → "For the sake of their beloved families: the reality of migrant workers in the Philippines"
(Photo:Jesús Cabrera / Flickr [CC BY 2.0])