Poet's jasmine, Common jasmine, Jessamine
Jasminum officinale

Family: Oleaceae

What it is like

It is a deciduous shrub. It is twining and climbing. The stems are green. The leaves are divided into leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are 6 cm long. There are 5-9 leaflets. The flowers are white and fragrant. They are 2 cm across. The fruit are black berries. There are several named cultivated kinds.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Algeria, Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Britain, Bulgaria, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Europe, Fiji, France, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Iran, Italy, Mediterranean, Middle East, Nepal, Pacific, Pakistan, Portugal, Puerto Rica, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The flowers are eaten. They are also used for flavour or scent tea. They produce an essential oil that gives a bittersweet flavour to baked goods, ice cream, candy and chewing gum.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Flowers, flowers - flavour

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by semi-ripe cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Gessami, Ilessami

Synonyms

Jasminum affine Royle ex Lindl.; Jasminum officinale var. - several; and others