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Jasminum officinale - L.

Common Name Jessamine, Poet's jasmine
Family Oleaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Shrubberies and forests, usually on humus-rich soils, 1200 - 3000 metres in the Himalayas[51, 145]. Valleys, ravines, thickets, woods, along rivers, meadows; 1800 - 4000 metres in W. China[266].
Range W. Asia to E. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Jasminum officinale Jessamine, Poet


Jasminum officinale Jessamine, Poet
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25816788@N08/2855534398

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of climber
Jasminum officinale is a deciduous Climber growing to 10 m (32ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from June to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers
Edible Uses: Condiment  Tea

Flowers - fragrant. Eaten or used to flavour or scent tea[183]. The dried flowers are a tea substitute[177]. An essential oil from the flowers is used as a condiment in various foods, especially Maraschino cherries but also baked goods, ice cream, sweets, chewing gum etc[183, 238]. It imparts a bitter-sweet floral tone[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiseptic  Antispasmodic  Aphrodisiac  Aromatherapy  Galactogogue  Parasiticide  Tonic

The leaf juice is applied to corns and ear discharges[218, 240]. The leaves contain salicylic acid (found also in the bark of Salix species and used as an analgesic, febrifuge etc)[218, 240]. The root is used in the treatment of ringworm[240]. The flowers are aphrodisiac, antiseptic, antispasmodic, galactogogue and tonic[178, 218, 238]. They are mainly used in aromatherapy (see below). The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Aphrodisiac'[210]. It is used in the treatment of depression, nervous tension, impotence, frigidity, menstrual disorders and weak digestion[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Essential  Parasiticide

An essential oil from the flowers is used in perfumery[46, 171, 200]. The flowers are picked soon after opening each morning and used fresh for oil extraction[238].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in a good well-drained loam[200], preferring a sunny position[182]. Very shade tolerant, it succeeds on a north facing wall[200]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[184]. They require the protection of a wall in northern Britain but are fully hardy in the south[11]. Another report says that they are hardy to about -10°c, and that the stem tips are often killed back in the winter though the plant soon recovers[202]. Climbs by means of twining[182]. It is self-supporting[200] and fast-growing[202]. Any pruning is best carried out in late winter and early spring[202]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are some named varieties[200]. The flowers are very fragrant[202] and the plant is sometimes cultivated for the essential oil in its flowers, the sub-species J. officinale grandiflorum (L.)Kobuski. is used[171]. Flowers are produced on the current year's growth and also on older wood[202]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very easy. Cuttings of mature wood in November. Layering.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Jasminum grandiflorumJasminClimber2.5 10-12 SLMHSNM334
Jasminum humileYellow JasmineShrub3.0 7-10  LMHSNDM112
Jasminum nudiflorumWinter-Flowering Jasmin, Winter jasmineShrub3.6 6-11 MLMHFSNM013
Jasminum odoratissimum Shrub0.0 8-11  LMHSNM102
Jasminum sambacJasmine TeaShrub3.0 9-12 MLMSNM333

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Botanical References

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Links / References

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Readers comment

anthea fawssett   Thu Dec 3 2009

Does the name Jasminum have an original meaning?

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