Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Gentianales>Loganiaceae>Gelsemium sempervirens (L.) St. Hilaire

Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) leaves

Carolina Jessamine is a common woody vine in the Coastal Plain and lower Piedmont of North Carolina. The opposite evergreen leaves are dark green, glossy, smooth, and pliable; in leaf it can be confused with Climbing Dogbane (Thyrsanthella difformis), which has milky sap - just break off a leaf if you're confused about the ID.

Wake Co., NC 5/23/2009.

Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)

Very fragrant yellow tubular flowers cover the vines from late winter to early spring.

Common in a wide variety of habitats in the Coastal Plain and lower Piedmont of North Carolina, this species is also a very popular ornamental.

Bladen Co., NC 3/25/07.

Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)

The only similar species is Swamp Jessamine (Gelsemium rankinii), which grows only in the southeastern corner of NC and only along blackwater river swamps. The flowers of Swamp Jessamine are reported to be nearly odorless, while those of Carolina Jessamine are intensely richly fragrant (though I know one person who cannot smell this).

Harnett Co., NC 4/19/03.

Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)

Harnett Co., NC 4/19/03.

Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) fruit capsule

Ripening capsules. The capsules dry as they mature and split open along the sides.

Columbus Co., NC 9/28/2013.