Easy Mistake to Make Identifying Carolina Jasmine

by C Banks
(Pickens, SC)

I have to defend my state flower, and realize that I'm probably being too picky from most readers' point of view. But being in the horticultural/botanical industry, the "rule of thumb" that has been forever preached to me is that the botanical latin name is the only way to truly ID a plant, because different regions call plants different common names, so it makes sense. Having said my disclaimer, I wanted to point out that this plant/flower's accepted name isn't Carolina Jasmine (Jasminum sp.), it's Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sp.). It's an easy mistake to make. Jasmine is a well known name, and Jessamine isn't. But they are different botanically. Sorry for being picky. Oh, and yes It is toxic, but MANY plants are. It's also toxic to honeybees.

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