CAROLINA JESSAMINE 
Gelsemium sempervirens (Linnaeus ) Persoon 
Carolina jessamine, called “jasamer” by the natives of some parts 
of the South, is one of the delights of early spring in that region. It 
is a large vine whose woody, tangled, twining stems seek support 
upon the smaller trees, and then spread in riotous confusion over the 
tree tops. The clear yellow flowers are borne freely on the many leafy 
stems at the top, their delightful odor calling the bees tothe feast of 
nectat spread for them. From the buds and seed pods an active medici- 
nal preparation is made, but it must be used with care, as it is a nat- 
cotic poison. 
Carolina jessamine is the State flower of South Carolina. It is found 
from Florida to Texas and northward to eastern Virginia, and grows 
also in Mexico. But one other species of the genus Gelsemium is 
known, which is a native of Asia. 
The sketch was made from specimens gathered near Beaufort, 
South Carolina. 
PLATE 220 
