Gelsemium sempervirens Ait.
Borderline half hardy, vigorous, slender, twining perennial with stems that spiral anti-clockwise, narrow glossy leaves, to 5cm long, and clusters, to 8cm across, of fragrant yellow flowers, to 3cm long, with darker throats, in spring and summer. To 6m. [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘It is remarkable that so handsome a greenhouse climber, and one that has been so long in cultivation, should not have been figured in any modern English horticultural work. It was introduced into England by Tradescant, was cultivated by Parkinson in his garden in Long Acre in 1640, and figured in his “Theatrum Botanicum” in the same year. The genus Gelsemium was founded in 1789 by Jussieu, on Bignonia sempervirens, Linn., the Gelsemium, sive minum, &c., of Parkinson, the name being derived from the Italian for Jessamine. In 1803 Michaux published it as G. nitidum, and in 1786 Poiret as G. lucidum, and Aiton in 1811 as G. sempervirens. The only other known species is G. elegans, Benth., a native of Burma and China. G. sempervirens is a common plant in the woods and low grounds of the Southern United States, from Virginia to Florida, and westward to Texas and Southern Mexico. Bentley and Trimen include it in their ” Medicinal Plants,” where the dried stems and roots prepared by the Shakers of New Lebanon are stated to be in common use in America as a sedative. The drug in large doses poisons by asphyxia. It is not recognized in the British Pharmacopoeia.’ [BM t.7851/1902].
History at Camden Park
Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.513/1857].
Notes
Published Mar 17, 2009 - 03:55 PM | Last updated Mar 21, 2010 - 12:47 PM
Gelsemium sempervirens Ait. | BM t.7851/1902 | BHL
| Family | Loganiaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Southern USA, Central America |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Carolina jasmine, Evening trumpet, False yellow jasmine |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Gelsemium sempervirens |
| Confidence level | high |