jasmine

jasmine
Jasminum sambac
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Oleaceae
Tribe:	Jasmineae
Genus:	Jasminum L. (1753)
Type species
Jasminum officinale L. +
Species
More than 200 species, see List of Jasminum species Sources: ING,[1] CPN,[2] UniProt[3]

Jasminum auriculatum at Talakona forest, in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh, India.

A double-flowered cultivar of Jasminum sambac in flower with an unopened bud. The flower smells like the tea as it opens.

Jasmine (Jasminum, pronounced /ˈdʒæzmɨnəm/,^[4] from Old French^[5] Jasmine which is from the Arabic from Persian yasmin, i.e. "gift from God",^{[6][7] [8]}) is a genus of shrubs and vines in the olive family (Oleaceae), with about 200 species, native to tropical and warm temperate regions of the Old World. Most species grow as climbers on other plants or are trained in gardens on chicken wire, trellis gates or fences, or made to scramble through shrubs of open texture. The leaves can be either evergreen (green all year round) or deciduous (falling in autumn).

[edit] Cultural importance and other information

The White Jasmine Branch, painting of ink and color on silk by Chinese artist Zhao Chang, early 12th century

• In Syria, jasmine is the symbolic flower of Damascus, which is called the City of Jasmine.

• In Thailand, jasmine flowers are used as a symbol of the mother.

Jasmine is the national flower of the following countries:

• Indonesia, where the variety Jasminum sambac is the "puspa bangsa" (national flower), and goes by the name "Melati Putih". It is the most important flower in wedding ceremonies for ethnic Indonesians, especially in the island of Java.
• Pakistan, where Jasminum officinale is known as the "Chambeli" or "Yasmine" is the national flower.
• Philippines, where it is known as "Sampaguita", and is usually strung on garlands which are then used to adorn religious images.

[edit] As a weed

Jasminum fluminense, which is sometimes known by the inaccurate name "Brazilian Jasmine", is an invasive species in Hawaii and Florida^[13]. J. dichotomum, also called Gold Coast Jasmine, is also an invasive weed in Florida.^[14]

[edit] Gallery

Jasminum auriculatum at Talakona forest, in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh, India.	Jasminum auriculatum at Talakona forest, in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh, India.	Jasmine bud in Chennai. This variety produces large flowers, but too few to be commercially viable.	Jasminum sambac flowers harvested for Malligai - Raama Baanam
Summer Jasmine Blossoms - fresh jasmine flowers from Taimu Mountain.	Jasmine Flower Green Tea - blossoms are poured onto green tea to make dragon pearl tea.