Jasmine
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This article is about the shrub of genus Jasminum. For other uses, see Jasmine (disambiguation).
Jasmine

Jasminum polyanthum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
Division:
Magnoliophyta
Class:
Magnoliopsida
Order:
Lamiales
Family:
Oleaceae
Genus:
Jasminum
Species
See text
Jasmine or Jessamine (Jasminum) (Yasmin in Arabic or Persian) is a genus of shrubs and vines in the olive family (Oleaceae), with about 200 species, native to tropical and warm temperate regions of the Old World. The majority of species grow as climbers on other plants or on structures. The leaves can be either evergreen or deciduous, and are opposite in most species; leaf shape is simple, trifoliate or pinnate with up to nine leaflets.
Jasmine flowers are generally white, although some species have yellow flowers. Unlike most genera in the Oleaceae which have four corolla lobes ("petals"), jasmines often have five or six lobes. They are often strongly and sweetly scented. Flowering is in spring or summer in most species, but in a few species, notably J. nudiflorum, in winter on the bare branches of this deciduous species.

[edit] Other plants
Trachelospermum : (Confederate or star jasmine)
Gardenia jasminoides : (Cape jasmine)
Cestrum nocturnum : (Night blooming jasmine)
Gelsemium : (Carolina jasmine)
Selected species
Jasminum albicalyx
Jasminum amplexicaule
Jasminum angulare
Jasminum angustifolium
Jasminum arborescens
Jasminum attenuatum
Jasminum auriculatum
Jasminum azoricum
Jasminum beesianum
Jasminum cinnamomifolium
Jasminum coffeinum
Jasminum craibianum
Jasminum cuspidatumkmkm
Jasminum dichotomum – Gold Coast Jasmine
Jasminum dispermum
Jasminum duclouxii
Jasminum elongatum
Jasminum flexile
Jasminum floridum
Jasminum fluminense – African Jasmine
Jasminum fruticans
Jasminum fuchsiifolium
Jasminum grandiflorum – Spanish jasmine
Jasminum guangxiense
Jasminum hongshuihoense
Jasminum humile – Yellow Jasmine
Jasminum lanceolaria
Jasminum lang
Jasminum latifolium
Jasminum laurifolium
Jasminum longitubum
Jasminum mesnyi – Primrose Jasmine
Jasminum microcalyx
Jasminum molle - Indian Jui
Jasminum multiflorum – Star Jasmine
Jasminum nervosum
Jasminum nintooides
Jasminum nitidum – Shining Jasmine
Jasminum nudiflorum – Winter Jasmine
Jasminum odoratissimum
Jasminum officinale – Common Jasmine
Jasminum parkeri
Jasminum pentaneurum
Jasminum pierreanum
Jasminum polyanthum - Pink Jasmine
Jasminum prainii
Jasminum pubescens
Jasminum rehderianum
Jasminum rex
Jasminum roxburghianum
Jasminum rufohirtum
Jasminum sambac – Arabian Jasmine
Jasminum seguinii
Jasminum sinense
Jasminum stephanense
Jasminum subglandulosum
Jasminum subhumile
Jasminum tonkinense
Jasminum urophyllum
Jasminum wengeri
Jasminum yuanjiangense

[edit] Cultivation and uses

Jasminum sambac flowers harvested for Malligai - Raama Baanam
Jasmines are widely cultivated for their flowers, enjoyed in the garden, as house plants, and as cut flowers. The flowers are worn by women in their hair in southern and southeast Asia. Some claim that the daily consumption of Jasmine tea is effective in preventing certain cancers. Many species also yield an absolute which is used in the production of perfumes and incense.
Jasmine tisane is consumed in China, where it is called Jasmine flower tea (茉莉花茶; pinyin: mò lì huā chá). Jasminum sambac flowers are also used to make tea, which often has a base of green tea, but sometimes an Oolong base is used. The delicate Jasmine flower opens only at night and is plucked in the morning when the tiny petals are tightly closed. They are then stored in a cool place until night. Between six and eight in the evening, as the temperature cools, the petals begin to open. Flowers and tea are "mated" in machines that control temperature and humidity. It takes four hours or so for the tea to absorb the fragrance and flavour of the Jasmine blossoms, and for the highest grades, this process may be repeated as many as seven times. Because the tea has absorbed moisture from the flowers, it must be refired to prevent spoilage. The spent flowers may or may not be removed from the final product, as the flowers are completely dry and contain no aroma. Giant fans are used to blow away and remove the petals from the denser tea leaves. If present, they simply add visual appeal and are no indication of the quality of the tea. Typically, Jasmine petals left in the tea are for export, whereas domestic Chinese tastes prefer the petals removed from the tea.

A double-flowered cultivar of Jasminum sambac in flower with an unopened bud. The flower smells exactly like the tea as it opens.
Jasminum sambac is also the National Flower of Indonesia, where it is known as "Melati", and of the Philippines, where it is known as "Sampaguita". In Indonesia (especially the island of Java), it is the most important flower in wedding ceremonies for ethnic Indonesians. Jasminum officinale is the national flower of Pakistan, where it is known as the "Chambeli" or "Yasmine". In Sanskrit it is called Mallika. Jasmine is cultivated at Pangala, in Karnataka, India, and exported to Middle East countries[citation needed].
J. fluminense is an invasive species in Hawaii, where it is sometimes known by the inaccurate name "Brazilian Jasmine". J. dichotomum is also invasive in Florida.