Gelsemium

Gelsemium – Best Carolina Jessamine Plants In New Zealand

Adding colourful climbers such as Gelsemium to your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They are visual plants that add impact to a space.
• They attract birds and bees.
• Street appeal can be greatly enhanced.
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature.
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come.

We have the most amazing Gelsemium sempervirens plants and the right one for your space. These Carolina Jessamine plants have been selected to thrive in NZ’s climate. We grow and stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them locally, and from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Gelsemium sempervirens, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Gelsemium Sempervirens Questions

1. Is Gelsemium sempervirens toxic?

Gelsemium sempervirens, also known as yellow jessamine, Carolina jessamine, or evening trumpet, is highly toxic. All parts of the plant, including the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and even the nectar, contain toxic alkaloids called gelsemine and gelseminine. These alkaloids can cause serious illness or death if ingested.

Here are some of the reasons why Gelsemium sempervirens is toxic:

• Gelsemine and gelseminine act on the nervous system, causing muscle weakness, paralysis, and respiratory failure.
• Even small amounts of the plant can be toxic, and the lethal dose is relatively low.
• Children are especially at risk of poisoning because they may be attracted to the bright yellow flowers and mistake them for something safe to eat.

2. What is the common name for Gelsemium sempervirens?

Gelsemium sempervirens has several common names, but the most common ones are:

• False jasmine: This name is widely used because the plant's bright yellow flowers resemble true jasmines (Jasminum species), although they are not closely related.
• Carolina jessamine: This name is especially popular in the southeastern United States, where the plant is native.
• Evening trumpetflower: This name refers to the trumpet-shaped flowers that open in the evening and release a sweet fragrance.

Other less common names for Gelsemium sempervirens include:

• Woodbine
• Yellow jessamine
• Confederate jessamine
• Swamp jasmine

The specific name you use may depend on your location and personal preference.

3. Is gelsemium the same as Gelsemium sempervirens?

Gelsemium is often used interchangeably with Gelsemium sempervirens, particularly in traditional medicine and herbalism contexts. In fact, Gelsemium sempervirens is the most common species within the Gelsemium genus, and it's the one typically referred to when simply saying "gelsemium."

If you are looking to buy Gelsemium sempervirens, be sure to check out the amazing plants offered by The Plant Company. Their reputation for quality and service is demonstrated with their high google ranking. https://www.theplantcompany.co.nz/shop/product/climbers/gelsemium-sempervirens

4. Is jessamine the same as jasmine?

The relationship between jessamine and jasmine is a bit complicated, as it depends on the specific species being referred to. Here's a breakdown:

Jessamine:

• Can refer to:
  • Gelsemium sempervirens: This is the most common plant called jessamine, particularly in the southeastern US. It's also known as Carolina jessamine, yellow jessamine, or evening trumpetflower. While it has fragrant flowers resembling true jasmines, it's not closely related.
  • Other plants: Several other unrelated plants with fragrant flowers are also called jessamine, including star jessamine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), Confederate jessamine (Gelsemium rankinii), and night-blooming jessamine (Cestrum nocturnum).

Jasmine:

• Refers to plants in the Jasminum genus: These are the "true" jasmines, native to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. They're known for their intensely fragrant white or pink flowers.

So, are they the same?

• Technically, no: Gelsemium sempervirens (Carolina jessamine) and other plants called jessamine are not part of the Jasminum genus and therefore not true jasmines.
• However, they can be used interchangeably in some contexts: This is especially true for Gelsemium sempervirens, as its appearance and fragrance are similar to true jasmines.

The Plant Company has the most amazing Gelsemium sempervirens and Jasmine plants. Their reputation for quality and service is demonstrated with their high google ranking. https://www.theplantcompany.co.nz/shop/product/climbers/gelsemium-sempervirens

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