Accession Count: 86
Common Name:
primrose jasmine
Family Name:
Oleaceae
Botanical Name:
Jasminum mesnyi
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Primrose jasmine can be seen as a climbing vine growing on a fence or on any other lateral structures. Otherwise, when it's grown standing by itself, it’s a dense ground covering shrub that can grow up to a height of 3 m (10 ft), with a spread of up to 3 m (10 ft). Its leaves have an ovate shape, are entire, and have some leaves being broader at the apex than others (1). The leaves are pinnately trifoliate and are arranged oppositely along its stem (1). The size of the leaves can range up to be about 10 cm (about 3.94 in) long, with its attached petiole being about 1.5 cm (about 0.59 in) long (2). Older leaves can sometimes be darker in color than newer leaves. Its flowers are bright yellow and have a funnel shaped corolla (2). As for its petals, there are two layers with 6 petals for each layer. Its fruits are black or purple inconspicuous berries which contain 1-2 seeds per fruit (1).
Compound:
Jas mes
Geographic Origin:
Vietnam, southern China
Ecozone Origin:
Palearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The primrose jasmine is native to subtropical forests in Southern to central China and Vietnam (7). In its natural habitat, it grows in soils with an elevation of 500 m to 2,500 m (1,650- 8,202 ft) (7). This plant was introduced to areas in the U.S. such as Florida, Alabama, and Texas, even in areas in central America including Honduras, Mexico, and Guatemala (7). It was also introduced in other areas in South Asia as well as eastern Australia (7).
Cultivation Notes:
The primrose jasmine can best be propagated through semi- hardwood cuttings or stem cuttings. Jasmine prefers tropical/subtropical climates, however, if planted in more challenging climates, there are certain measures one could take to ensure plant survival including, increasing irrigation or providing shade (5). The primrose jasmine can tolerate temperatures as low as –5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit) and prefers temperatures up to 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) but is tolerable to temperatures as high as 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit). Ideally, when the plant is initially planted and is going through the process of establishment in soil, frequent watering is preferred especially if it is planted in a warmer climate (4). Soils best for this plant to be transplanted in are loamy soils that lean towards sandy soils ensuring good drainage; soils that are flooded or waterlogged can harm the plant (5,4).
Ethnobotany:
The most common usage for this plant is for ornamental purposes and to accentuate landscapes. In Asia specifically, primrose jasmines are widely featured in Asian landscaping and have been historically used for quite some time (4). Besides ornamental usage, there are medicinal benefits that come from this plant and have been traditionally used in Asia to treat genetic, spinal, and gastric disorders (6). It has been recently investigated that its leaves have a range of medicinal properties and are going under further medical research (6).
Height:
6 - 10 feet
Width:
6 - 10 feet
Growth Rate:
Moderate Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Toxic
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
