An ancient name derived from the Arabic yãsmín.
Deciduous and evergreen vines and occasionally shrubs. Leaves opposite or alternate, odd-pinnate or with 1 leaflet. Flowers in terminal or axillary clusters, fragrant, yellow, white or red. Flower tube narrow, with wide-spreading lobes. Stamens 2. Fruit a berry with 2 valves; seeds 1 or 2.
Grown, mostly as climbers and scramblers, for the sweetly scented flowers. Several species are cultivated for their perfume, notably the Arabian Jasmine, J. sambac.
Semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings or layers, occasionally by seed.
The fine aroma is utilised in scents and perfumed teas; there is also an aromatic oil extract called malatti.
Climbing plants with fragrant flowers.
About 450 mostly tropical species, a few temperate. Australia has 5-6 endemic species.
Kobuski (1959), Green (1961, 1962, 1965, 1984, 1988b, 1997).
Source: (2002). Oleaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.