Gelsemium sempervirens
| Gelsemium sempervirens | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 10' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Mid Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Gelsemium sempervirens (common name: false jasmine)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a warm greenhouse[1]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in the greenhouse until plants are at least two years old. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and give them some protection from winter cold for at least their next winter.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[1].
Cultivation: Succeeds in most soils[2]. Requires a warm sheltered position in full sun or light shade in a well-drained moisture retentive moderately fertile soil[1]. Rich soils discourage flowering by encouraging excessive growth[1].
This species is not very hardy in Britain, succeeding outdoors only in the mildest areas of the country and even then usually requiring the protection of a wall[3][2]. Plants can tolerate temperatures down to about -10°c if the wood has been thoroughly ripened[1].
A very ornamental plant, the flowers are sweetly fragrant[4] emitting a honey-like aroma[5]. This species is the state flower of South Carolina[6].
A climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around other plants and often ascending to the tops of lofty trees in its native habitat[7].
Range: South-eastern N. America - Florida to Texas and north to Arkansas and S. Virginia.
Habitat: Along sea coasts[3] in dry to wet woods, thickets and sands[8].
Medicinal: The roots are analgesic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, febrifuge, hypnotic, mydriatic, nervine, sedative and vasodilator[9][10][11][4][6]. A powerful depressant of the central nervous system, deadening pain and reducing spasms[4]. It is said to suspend and hold in check muscular irritability and nervous excitement with more force and power than any known remedy. Whilst it relaxes the muscles, it also relieves all sense of pain[7]. It is used internally in the treatment of neuralgia, migraine, sciatica, toothache, severe pain (especially in terminal illnesses or accidents) and meningitis[6]. Externally it has been used as a folk remedy for cancer[4]. The root is best harvested in the autumn and dried carefully for later use[7]. Extreme care is advised with the use of this plant, it should only be used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[6]. Excessive doses cause respiratory depression, giddiness, double vision and death[6]. It should not be prescribed for patients with heart disease, hypotension or myasthenia gravis[6]. See also the notes above on toxicity.
The fresh root is used to make a homeopathic remedy[12]. It is used in the treatment of a variety of complaints, including fevers, flu and headaches[12].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: All parts of the plant usually contain toxic alkaloids[1]. Eating just one flower has reportedly been lethal to children[13][4]. The plant can also cause skin allergies in some people and it is possible that the plant toxins can be absorbed through t
Also Known As: G. nitidum.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Taylor, Jane. The Milder Garden. Dent, 1990.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ Emboden, William. Narcotic Plants. Studio Vista, 1979.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Castro, Miranda. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan, 1990.
- ↑ Coffey, Timothy. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File, 1993.