Some facts about Wild Jasmine

Wild jasmine scientifically known as Jasminum angulare is an evergreen climber with sweetly scented blooms that appear in summer and autumn. It is a species of flowering plant in the family Oleaceae. The plant is native to coastal areas from Eastern Cape to Natal, South Africa where it can be found growing amongst hillside boulders and near streams. It’s half-hardy, so in areas that receive frosts it can be grown in a cool conservatory or greenhouse. It does not tolerate being frozen, so in temperate regions it is best grown under glass, in an unheated greenhouse or conservatory. In the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

Some of the well-known names of the plant include wild Jasmine, winter jasmine, angular jasmine and also winter-flowering jasmine. The genus name Jasminum is the Latinized version of the Arabic name for jasmine, ysmyn or yasamin meaning ‘gift from God’. The species name angulare is from Latin and means ‘angular’, referring to the angled branchlets.

Wild Jasmine Facts

Plant Description

Wild jasmine is a hardy, slow growing, evergreen, scrambling, drought-resistant shrub or vine.  When planted on slopes and against walls it can mound 8-10 ft. tall and spread 12-15 ft. wide. When grown as a vine, it can reach 15-20 ft. tall and fit residential scale spaces very well. The plant is found growing on trellises, walls, banks, coastal and inland bush, hillsides and also near rivers. The plant performs best in well drained, fertile, loamy and well composted soil. In case of very hot summer, shade could be beneficial. The plant is used for both medicinal and magical purposes. This is quite a delicate climber that can be trained over arches and along fences and walls. It also grows well in containers.

Leaves

Leaves are made up of three leaflets (3-foliate), very occasionally 5-foliate. The leaflets are variable in shape, usually broadly ovate with an acute apex. Acarodomatia are often present on the under surface of the leaves, in the axils of lower veins.

Leaf Arrangement	Opposite
Leaf Venation	Bowed
Leaf Persistence	Evergreen
Leaf Type	Bipinnately compound
Leaf Shape	Lanceolate
Leaf Margins	Entire
Leaf Textures	Glossy
Leaf Scent	No Fragrance
Color(growing season)	Green
Color(changing season)	Green

 

Flowers

The flowers are pure white, strongly fragrant and produced in flat-topped, few-flowered inflorescences at the tips of the stems, from early to mid-summer. They have a long, narrow corolla tube, usually greenish on the outside, opening to a flat, white star, made up of five petal lobes, although the occasional flower has six lobes. There are two stamens that are inside the corolla tube, with the tips of the anthers to be seen in the mouth of the tube. The style is 2-lobed and the tip is exserted. The calyx, at the base of the corolla tube, is bell-shaped, green, and 7-toothed. Flowering normally takes place from October to January and attracts a whole host of tiny insects.

Flower Showiness	True
Flower Type	Solitary
Flower Scent	Pleasant
Flower Color	White
Seasons	Summer, Fall

 

Fruits

Fertile flowers are followed by a decorative spherical berry, about 7 mm in diameter. Fruits are initially green turning to black as they mature. Fruits are eaten by birds and by people in times of famine.

Fruit Type	Berry
Fruit Showiness	False
Fruit Colors	Black

 

Traditional uses and benefits of Wild Jasmine

• Jasminum angulare leaves and flowers are used in traditional medicine as a protective charm against lightning.
• It has antidepressant and aphrodisiac properties.
• Jasmine tea reduces the risk of heart attacks, strengthens immune system and prevents of Diabetes.
• It also prevents growth of cancerous cells. It reduces the risk of Breast and Lung Cancer.
• It improves the digestive system. It promotes healthy stomach. It prevents the gastrointestinal cancer.
• Wild Jasmine has calm and relaxing effect. It is used to treat headaches, anxiety, irritability and depression.
• The relaxing property of Wild Jasmine provides relief from fatigue and stress.
• Wild Jasmine treats sexual and uterine problems. Jasmine Tea is effective for sexual problems. It increases the production of Sperm. It heals Frigidity and Impotence.
• It promotes weight loss.
• It lowers the bad cholesterol level in the body.
• It eases chronic inflammation including muscle aches and pains.
• It treats sunburn, rashes, heat exhaustion and sunstroke.
• It fights off against bacterial infections.
• It is good for healing corns on foot.
• It is used to clean scrapes and cuts.
• It is also used in beauty and healthcare industries.

Other facts

• It is good used as a vine, ground cover, small shrub or espalier.
• Flowers are good in arrangements.
• Like other species of jasmine, the fragrance of the flowers is very sweet and enjoyable.
• This is quite a delicate climber that can be used over arches and along fences and walls.
• The flowers are strongly sweet-scented and can be added to pot-pourris mixtures.

Precautions

• Fresh leaves are reported to be toxic to sheep and cattle, and may cause death to the animal within 8 hours of ingestion.
• It may cause allergy.
• Avoid use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Do not consume it empty stomach. It may cause intestinal discomfort.
• Do not consume if you are allergic to caffeine.

References:

http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl/record/kew-351746

https://inlandvalleygardenplanner.org/plants/jasminum-angulare/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasminum_angulare

https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/65654/#b

http://pza.sanbi.org/jasminum-angulare

https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/IASNU

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