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Swamp Yellow Jessamine Gelsemium rankinii

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
gel-SEM-ee-um rank-EN-ee-eye
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Swamp Jasmine is a woody vine, trailing or high climbing, native to the southern US.  It can be found in swampy areas of forests and natural land and is often cultivated in landscapes. It is found most notably in the swamps of the Black and Waccamaw rivers. It is evergreen with simple opposite leaves and a smooth margin.  Its yellow flowers, which bloom in the spring and fall, are funnel-shaped with 5 lobes and are not aromatic.  Its fruit is a thin, flattened capsule. 

This plant can be grown in sun to partial shade and needs rich, acidic, moist to wet soil.  It offers wildlife enhancement and is resistant to damage by deer. Grow this plant on a trellis or fence and keep the soil evenly moist.  Tolerant of occasional flooding.

The flowers, leaves, and roots of this plant are toxic. This plant is classified as a NC Special Concern species.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#evergreen#showy flowers#poisonous#semi-evergreen#yellow flowers#small mammals#privacy#NC native#native garden#native vine#pollinator plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains FAC#Coastal FACW#bird friendly#mammals#vine#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#Audubon#fence#trellis
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#evergreen#showy flowers#poisonous#semi-evergreen#yellow flowers#small mammals#privacy#NC native#native garden#native vine#pollinator plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains FAC#Coastal FACW#bird friendly#mammals#vine#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#Audubon#fence#trellis
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Gelsemium
    Species:
    rankinii
    Family:
    Loganiaceae (Gelseminaceae)
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern USA, NC
    Distribution:
    AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Climbing Method:
    Twining
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Thin, flattened capsule. Fruits are available from September to October.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Funnel-shaped 1-1.5 inch yellow flowers in spring and fall from March-April and also October. Not fragrant
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Waxy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Waxy lanceolate leaves with entire margins and acute apex.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Vertical Spaces
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    Sweating, nausea, muscular weakness, dilated pupils, lowered temperature, convulsions, and respiratory failure.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Alkaloids
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems