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Overview
Gelsemium sempervirens or Carolina Jasmine is a delicate (but toxic) twining evergreen climber with glossy deep green lanceolate leaves and wonderfully fragrant bell shaped cream to yellow flowers.
The flowers are good attractors for pollinators like birds and insects and appear in clusters throughout spring and again in autumn. Though it should be noted that they are toxic to honeybees, but not worker bees.
They are best trained over a pergola or trellis where you can get the maximum benefit from the perfume and delicate colouring.
Carolina Jasmine can be grown in large tubs and planters as well - good for getting them up close on the patio.
This is a popular garden plant, largely because of its delicate perfume and pretty disposition.
Soil: Moist, free draining, open and fertile loams in a sunny location, though a little shade throughout the day is tolerated well.
Maintenance: Kepp mulched and watered, feed in spring with a balanced formulation or blood and bone.
Propagate by cuttings in summer.
Diseases: None of note.
Toxicity: Gelsemium is UNSAFE.
All parts of the plant are very poisonous and even small amounts can cause serious toxicity, including death in worst case scenarios.
Symptoms of poisoning include headache, vision problems, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, muscle problems, seizures, breathing problems, slowing of the heart, and others.
This following scientific description comes from the University of Colorado:-
Gelsemium species contain the neurotoxic alkaloids gelsemine, gelsemicine, gelsedine, gelseverine, and gelseminine.
The indole, sempervirine, is also considered a significant toxic component. The alkaloids are found in all parts of the plant, especially in the flowers and roots.
The alkaloids act on nerve endings causing paralysis, muscle weakness, and clonic convulsions. At high doses the alkaloids act centrally on the nervous system against gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) causing convulsions and respiratory failure.
Livestock are at greatest risk of eating the plants in winter as the plants are evergreen and the leaves are attractive when all other forage is not.
Other Species: 3 species in the genus but this is the one most commonly grown.
Comments: This plant is the state flower of South Carolina.
Children, mistaking this flower for honeysuckle, have been poisoned by sucking the nectar from the flower.
The nectar is also toxic to honeybees, which may cause brood death when gathered by the bees. The nectar may, however, be beneficial to bumblebees.
Despite the hazards, this is a popular garden plant in warmer areas, frequently being trained to grow over arbors or to cover walls.
Author: Bob Saunders.