Gelsemium sempervirens is a twining
vine in the family
Gelsemiaceae, native to subtropical and tropical
America:
Honduras,
Guatemala,
Belize,
Mexico (
Chiapas,
Oaxaca,
Veracruz,
Puebla,
Hidalgo),[4] and southeastern and south-central United States (from Texas to Virginia).[5] It has a number of common names including yellow jessamine or confederate jessamine or jasmine,[6][7]Carolina jasmine or jessamine,[6][7]evening trumpetflower,[7][8]gelsemium[7] and woodbine.[7]
Despite its common name, the species is not a
"true jasmine" and not of the genus Jasminum.
Growth
Gelsemium sempervirens can grow to 3–6 m (10–20 ft) high when given suitable climbing support in
trees, with thin stems. The plant is
perennial.[10] The
leaves are
evergreen,
lanceolate, 5–10 cm (2–4 in) long and 1–1.5 cm (3⁄8–5⁄8 in) broad, and lustrous, dark green. The
flowers are borne in clusters, the individual flowers yellow, sometimes with an orange center, trumpet-shaped, 3 cm (1+1⁄4 in) long and 2.5–3 cm (1–1+1⁄4 in) broad. Its flowers are strongly scented and produce nectar that attracts a range of pollinators.[4]
History
Some 19th century sources identified Gelsemium sempervirens as a folk remedy for various medical conditions.[citation needed]
Toxicity
All parts of this plant contain the toxic
strychnine-related
alkaloidsgelsemine and
gelseminine and should not be consumed.[11] The
sap may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Children, mistaking this flower for
honeysuckle, have been poisoned by sucking the
nectar from the flower.[12] The nectar is also toxic to
honeybees,[13] which may cause
brood death when gathered by the
bees. The nectar may, however, be beneficial to
bumblebees. It has been shown that bumblebees fed on
gelsemine have a reduced load of
Crithidia bombi in their fecal matter after 7 days, although this difference was not significant after 10 days. Reduced parasite load increases foraging efficiency, and pollinators may selectively collect otherwise toxic
secondary metabolites as a means of self-medication.[14]
Despite the hazards, this is a popular garden plant in warmer areas, frequently being trained to grow over arbors or to cover walls. In the UK, it has won the
Royal Horticultural Society's
Award of Garden Merit.[16] It can be grown outdoors in mild and coastal areas of the UK (to a lower limit of −5 °C (23 °F)), but elsewhere must be grown under glass. It requires a sheltered position in full sun or light shade.[16]
^USDA, NRCS (n.d.).
"Gelsemium sempervirens". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
^Niering, William A.; Olmstead, Nancy C. (1985) [1979]. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Eastern Region. Knopf. p. 619.
ISBN0-394-50432-1.
Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Gelsemium" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 11 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 559. This contains a detailed description of the then-common usage and dosage of the drug.