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Carolina Jessamine
Carolina Jessamine botanical plate
Field guide plate · click to zoom

Carolina Jessamine

Gelsemium sempervirens

Honeybees forage on its early spring flowers for nectar and pollen, but gelsemine in both is toxic and can reduce queen egg-laying or kill young bees, making it unsuitable for beekeepers. Peak bloom occurs in March-April. As an evergreen twining vine, it requires support to climb and all parts are highly poisonous to humans and livestock.

Nectarlow
Pollenlow
BloomFebruary–May
USDA zones6-10
TypePerennial
Sunfull
NativeSoutheastern United States
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