Gelsemium rankinii

Common Name(s):

Swamp Jasmine
Swamp Yellow Jessamine
Yellow Jessamine

Phonetic Spelling

gel-SEM-ee-um rank-EN-ee-eye

This plant has high severity poison characteristics. See below.

Description

This evergreen vine, trailing or high climbing, is closely related to Gelsemium sempervirens. It is a rare species that may be found in wet habitats in the coastal plain of the southeastern U.S. It is floriferous and flowers both in spring and fall, but the yellow trumpet shaped flowers of this species are not fragrant.

This plant can be grown in sun to partial shade and needs rich, acidic, moist to wet soil. It offers wildlife enhancement and is resistant to damage by deer. Grow this plant on a trellis or fence and keep the soil evenly moist. Tolerant of occasional flooding.

All parts of this plant are toxic.

Genus:

Gelsemium

Species:

rankinii

Family:

Loganiaceae (Gelseminaceae)

Life Cycle:

Woody

Country Or Region Of Origin:

Southern USA, NC

Distribution:

AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC

Wildlife Value:

Wildlife Food Source

Climbing Method:

Twining

Whole Plant Traits:

Plant Type:

Native Plant

Perennial

Poisonous

Vine

Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

Broadleaf Evergreen

Habit/Form:

Climbing

Spreading

Growth Rate:

Rapid

Texture:

Fine

Cultural Conditions:

Light:

Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Soil Texture:

High Organic Matter

Soil pH:

Acid (<6.0)

Soil Drainage:

Good Drainage

Moist

Occasionally Wet

NC Region:

Coastal

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:

7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Fruit:

Display/Harvest Time:

Fall

Fruit Type:

Capsule

Fruit Description:

Thin, flattened capsule. Fruits are available from September to October.

Flowers:

Flower Color:

Gold/Yellow

Flower Inflorescence:

Solitary

Flower Value To Gardener:

Showy

Flower Bloom Time:

Fall

Spring

Flower Shape:

Funnel

Flower Petals:

4-5 petals/rays

fused petals

Flower Size:

1-3 inches

Flower Description:

Funnel-shaped 1-1.5 inch yellow flowers in spring and fall from March-April and also October. Not fragrant.

Leaf Description:

Waxy lanceolate leaves with entire margins and acute apex.

Stem:

Stem Is Aromatic:

No

Landscape:

Landscape Location:

Naturalized Area

Vertical Spaces

Woodland

Landscape Theme:

Butterfly Garden

Native Garden

Pollinator Garden

Design Feature:

Screen/Privacy

Attracts:

Bees

Butterflies

Hummingbirds

Pollinators

Songbirds

Resistance To Challenges:

Deer

Problems:

Poisonous to Humans