South Carolina State Flower
Yellow Jessamine (common name) Gelsemium sempervirens (scientific name) Overview Yellow jessamine became the South Carolina state flower in 1924, chosen because it’s common all over the state and because it’s a harbinger of spring. The plant is a twining vine found along the ground in open, sunny areas. If there’s not enough sun, the plant will try to climb and can grow on trellises or up trees, spreading from tree to tree when conditions are good. The vines have shiny, pointed, and dark evergreen leaves. When in bloom, yellow jessamine features clusters of yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers that are very fragrant and attractive to some types of bees and butterflies. At the open end, the flowers divide into five rounded petal-like lobes that curve back towards the trumpet slightly. Sometimes the flowers’ color is such a deep yellow that the centers are orange. The flowers are short-lived, each one lasting only a day, and give way to a 1 to 1 1/2–inch (2.5–3.8 cm) long double seed capsule that holds numerous dark brown seeds. The leaves normally remain on the plant and stay green all winter, but they often take on a purple or yellowish cast in cold weather. Though it’s not related to jasmine plants, yellow jessamine’s scientific name is taken from the Italian word for "jasmine." Close-up STATUS Official PHYSICAL DETAILS Duration: Perennial Plant: Vine with pointed leaves and clusters of yellow flowers Mature Height: 10–20 ft (3–6 m) with support Flowering: February–April Flowers: 1.25 in (3 cm) long and 1–1.25 in (2.5–3 cm) wide Flower Color: Yellow Leaves: 2–4 in (5–10 cm) long and .4–.6 in (1–1.5 cm) wide, pointed Fruit/Seed Color: Brown HABITAT Location: Sunny, open areas with moderate moisture Range: Guatemala north to the southeastern United States TRIVIA The plant—including the flowers, leaves, stems, and roots—contains alkaloids similar to strychnine and is toxic to people and animals if consumed. (The poison can kill a person in one to 7.5 hours.) Even the sap can cause skin irritation. Though some bees and butterflies can tolerate the poison and are attracted to the plants, most avoid it.
	Click to enlarge an image Yellow Jessamine Botanical Print Showing Yellow Jessamine Leaves Yellow Jessamine Flowers CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Plantae Subkingdom: Tracheobionta Phylum: Embryophyta Superdivision: Spermatophyta Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Subclass: Asteridae Order: Gentianales Family: Gelsemiaceae Genus: Gelsemium Species: G. sempervirens
	Author: World Trade Press