Trachelospermum jasminoides

Trachelospermum jasminoides, commonly known as Star Jasmine or Confederate Jasmine, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae. It is native to eastern and southeastern Asia, specifically in Japan, Korea, southern China, and Vietnam.

Description

Trachelospermum jasminoides is an evergreen woody liana growing to 10 m high. The leaves are opposite, oval to lanceolate, 2–10 cm long and 1-4.5 cm broad, with an entire margin and an acuminate apex. The flowers are white, 1-2 cm diameter, with a tube-like corolla opening out into five petal-like lobes. The fruit is a pair of follicles 10-25 cm long, containing numerous winged seeds.

Cultivation and uses

Trachelospermum jasminoides is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in warm temperate and subtropical regions. It is used as a climbing vine in gardens and a groundcover in landscapes. It is also often grown in pots and hanging baskets for its glossy foliage and clusters of flowers that are intensely fragrant.

The plant is also used in traditional medicine. In Chinese medicine, it is used to treat a variety of ailments, including rheumatism, abdominal pain, and traumatic injuries.

Cultivars

Several cultivars have been selected for garden use, with variegated foliage and/or double flowers. These include 'Variegatum', with cream margins on the leaves; and 'Flore Pleno', with double flowers.

See also

• List of Trachelospermum species
• Apocynaceae
• Climbing plants