Trachelospermum jasminoides

Trachelospermum jasminoides
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Trachelospermum
Species: T. jasminoides
Binomial name
Trachelospermum jasminoides
Synonyms

Rhynchospermum jasminoides Lindl.

Trachelospermum jasminoides is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae, native to eastern and southeastern Asia (Japan, Korea, southern China and Vietnam).[1] Common names include confederate jasmine,[2] southern jasmine,[3] star jasmine,[4] confederate jessamine,[4] and Chinese star jasmine.[4]

Description

Trachelospermum jasminoides is an evergreen woody liana growing to 3 m (10 ft) high. The leaves are opposite, oval to lanceolate, 2–10 cm (3⁄4–3 7⁄8 in) long and 1–4.5 cm (3⁄8–1 3⁄4 in) broad, with an entire margin and an acuminate apex.

The fragrant flowers are white, 1–2 cm (3⁄8–3⁄4 in) diameter, with a tube-like corolla opening out into five petal-like lobes. The fruit is a slender follicle 10–25 cm (3 7⁄8–9 7⁄8 in) long and 3–10 mm (1⁄8–3⁄8 in) broad, containing numerous seeds.[1]

Cultivation

Trachelospermum jasminoides is commonly grown as an ornamental plant and houseplant. In gardens, public landscapes, and parks it is used as a climbing vine, a groundcover, and a fragrant potted plant on terraces and patios. It will flower in full sun, partial shade, or total shade, and requires well-drained soil (if constantly kept damp it may succumb to fungal infection), moderate water, moderate fertilizer, and a climbing structure (whether a trellis or another plant is secondary). Propagation is most commonly done with cuttings/clones.[5]

It is widely planted in California and also particularly in the Southeastern United States, where its hardiness is confined to USDA Zones 8–10, the area of the former Confederate States of America. It is debated however, where the common name for this plant, Confederate Jasmine, comes from. While some dictionaries (such as Merriam-Webster[6] and dictionary.com) suggest that the name comes from the plant's common cultivation in the southern United States,[6] others argue that the term actually comes from Malaysia, and the former Malay confederacy.[7] It gets another of its common names, trader's compass, from an old Uzbekistan saying that it pointed traders in the right direction, provided they were of good character. It is also called star jasmine in Europe and Chinese jasmine or Chinese ivy in Asia.

This plant,[8] and the variegated cultivar 'Variegatum',[9] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Its irritating, milky latex-like sap makes it resistant to the depredations of Australian possums.[10]

Uses

A valuable perfume oil is extracted from the steam distilled or tinctured flowers and used in high end perfumery. In a dilute form, tinctured flowers are much used in Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai incenses. A bast fibre is produced from the stems.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Flora of China: Trachelospermum jasminoides
  2. ↑ "Trachelospermum jasminoides". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  3. ↑ "southern jasmine - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
  4. 1 2 3 "Trachelospermum jasminoides". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  5. ↑ Garrett, Howard (1996). Howard Garrett's Plants for Texas. University of Texas. p. 157. ISBN 9780292727885.
  6. 1 2 "Definition of CONFEDERATE JASMINE". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
  7. ↑ Heibel, Tara (2012-07-05). "Sprout Home Plant Of The Week: Confederate Jasmine". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  8. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Trachelospermum jasminoides". Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  9. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Variegatum'". Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  10. ↑ Miller, Ming, horticulturalist, Bunnings Box Hill (pers comm 29 Dec 2013)

Further reading

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