What Is a Jasmine Flower?

Cultivars

• Common jasmine (J. officinale), also known as poet's jasmine, produces abundant white flowers that emit a heady scent and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. White-flowered Spanish jasmine (J. grandiflorum) and Italian jasmine (J. humile) that blooms in dazzling yellow clusters, generate a sweet fragrance. The primrose (J. mesnyi) variety produces unscented, yellow blossoms. Winter jasmine(J. nudiflorum)'s non-fragrant, bright yellow flowers open onto leafless branches. The showy jasmine plant (J. floridum) is grown for its ornamental leaves.

Cultural Connotations

• Jasmine is the national flower of Indonesia, Pakistan and the Philippines. Revered by Indonesians, these delicate blossoms signify purity, nobility and a girl's beauty and are prominently displayed at wedding ceremonies on the island of Java. In Thailand, the jasmine flower symbolizes the mother and is the emblem for feminine kindness among the Chinese. India's religious Hindu ceremonies feature Indian Jui jasmine (J. molle) as a sacred offering. Jasmine blossoms adorn the hair of southern Asian women.

Uses

• The scented oil extracted from jasmine flowers has been used in perfumes worldwide for centuries. The oil from these blossoms also contains medicinal, calming and aphrodisiac-like properties and serves as an antidepressant. The resulting flavor in jasmine tea comes from the dried flowers of Arabian jasmine (J. sambac). Some reports indicate that drinking jasmine tea daily may help in preventing certain cancers.

Miscellaneous Facts

• An invasive species sometimes known as Brazilian jasmine (J. fluminense) grows rampant in Hawaii, and the weed-like Gold Coast jasmine (J. dichotomum) is an unwelcome sight in Florida. Belonging to the genus Trachelospermum, the nutmeg-scented Confederate, or star jasmine, is not a true jasmine despite its name, reports the Oregon State University Extension Service. Carolina jasmine, also known as false jasmine, belongs to the genus Gelsemium and contains toxins that can be lethal if ingested.