Jasminum polyanthum

Taxobox
name = "Jasminum polyanthum"


image_width = 240px
image_caption =
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Lamiales
familia = Oleaceae
genus = "Jasminum"
species = "J. polyanthum"
binomial = "Jasminum polyanthum"
binomial_authority = Franch.

"Jasminum polyanthum", also known as Pink Jasmine (or White Jasmine), is an evergreen twining climber from China. It produces an abundance of reddish-pink flower buds in late winter and early spring, followed by fragrant five-petalled star-like white flowers which are about 2cm in diameter. It has compound leaves with 5 to 7 leaflets which are dark green on the upper surface and a lighter green on the lower surface. The terminal leaflet is noticeably larger than the other leaflets. The plant is very vigorous and can grow up to 6 metres in height when supported. Depending on the climate, this vine has a semi-decidious to evergreen foliage.

It was first described by Adrien René Franchet in Revue Horticole 1891, 270.

Culture

"Jasminum polyanthum" is well-known as a house plant in the USA and Europe. It can also grow in the garden, when climate conditions are good. USDA hardiness zones: 8 - 11. It grows fast and easy and flowers nicelySee for instance [http://www.floridata.com/ref/J/jasm_pol.cfm "Jasminum polyanthum" in Floridata.com] ] . Outside it can be used to cover walls and fences etc. It can grow in sun and light shade as well. It is propagated by seed and by suckers."Jasminum polyanthum" was given the Award of Garden Merit (AGM) by the RHS in 1993 [http://www.rhs.org.uk/seedlist/documents/AGM2006OrnamentalPlants.pdf Awards of Garden Merit] ] . It was chosen on the Bicentenary list of 200 plants for the RHS: “This popular houseplant is an easily-grown, evergreen, half-hardy climber with loose panicles in summer of many strongly-fragrant pink-backed, white, trumpet-shaped flowers. It does not suffer pest or disease problems and is simple to propagate.” [http://www.rhs.org.uk/Learning/publications/pubs/garden0204/committees.asp “The Garden” 2004] ]

Invasive species

"Jasminum polyanthum" is naturalized in Australia [http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Jasminum~polyanthum "Jasminum polyanthum" in Australia] ] and New Zealand [http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/exotic_plant_life_and_weeds/detail.asp?WeedID=934Information on "Jasminum polyanthum" on NZPCN (New Zealand Plant Conservation Network}] ] . It can be regarded as an invasive species in these regionse.g. [http://www.weedsbluemountains.org.au/show_weed_botanical.asp?ID=16 "Jasminum polyanthum" as a weed of Blue Mountains Bushland (Australia)] and [http://www.gw.govt.nz/story10958.cfm information on "Jasminum polyanthum" from the Greater Wellington Regional Council] ] . This species of jasmine spreads rapidly as it can grow from any small section of stem material. The stems layer profusely and runners spread long distances. It is highly shade tolerant and can flower under a full canopy. It forms dense ground cover, preventing the growth of native seedlings, and smothers all other vegetation up to mid-canopy level. Spread into established forest, for instance in New Zealand, is rapid.

It can be controlled by cutting the stem and branches and applying herbicides to the cut surfaces. Chemical control of ground cover is advised Department of Conservation (NZ) 2005, p. 134f.] .

References

Literature

* Department of Conservation - "Plant me instead". Wellington (New Zealand) 2005. ISBN 047814007X

External links

* [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=210000882 "Jasminum polyanthum"] in Flora of China, Vol. 15, with [http://www.efloras.org/object_page.aspx?object_id=4535&flora_id=2 illustration]
* [http://trees.stanford.edu/ENCYC/JASpo.htm Herbarium specimen]
* [http://www.esveld.nl/htmldiaen/j/japoly.htm "Jasminum polyanthum"] at www.esveld.nl
* [http://www.weedsbluemountains.org.au/show_weed_botanical.asp?ID=16 Weeds of Blue Mountains Bushland (Australia): "Jasminum polyanthum"]
* [http://www.teara.govt.nz/TheBush/Conservation/WeedsOfTheBush/4/ENZ-Resources/Standard/2/en "Jasminum polyanthum"] as a New Zealand weed
* [http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/exotic_plant_life_and_weeds/detail.asp?WeedID=934 "Jasminum polyanthum"] in NZPCN (New Zealand Plant Conservation Network)