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{{otheruses4|the shrub of genus ''Jasminum''}}
{{Taxobox
| color = Pink
| name = Jasmine
| image = Jasminum polyanthum0.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Jasminum polyanthum''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
| familia = [[Oleaceae]]
| genus = ''Jasminum''
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = See text
}}

'''Jasmine''' or '''Jessamine''' (''Jasminum'') is a genus of [[shrub]]s and [[vine]]s in the olive family ([[Oleaceae]]), with about 200 species, native to tropical and warm temperate regions of the [[Old World]]. The majority of species grow as climbers on other plants or on structures. The [[leaf|leaves]] can be either [[evergreen]] or [[deciduous]], and are opposite in most species; leaf shape is simple, trifoliate or [[pinnate]] with up to nine leaflets.

Jasmine [[flower]]s are generally white, although some species have yellow flowers. Unlike most genera in the Oleaceae which have four corolla lobes ("petals"), jasmines often have five or six lobes. They are often strongly and sweetly scented. Flowering is in spring or summer in most species, but in a few species, notably ''J. nudiflorum'', in winter on the bare branches of this deciduous species.

==== Other plants ====

''[[Trachelospermum]]'' : (Confederate or star jasmine)

''[[Gardenia|Gardenia jasminoides]]'' : (Cape jasmine)

''[[Cestrum nocturnum]]'' : (Night blooming jasmine)

''[[Gelsemium]]'' : (Carolina jasmine)

;Selected species
{|
|- valign=top
|
*''[[Jasminum albicalyx]]''
*''[[Jasminum amplexicaule]]''
*''[[Jasminum angulare]]''
*''[[Jasminum angustifolium]]''
*''[[Jasminum arborescens]]''
*''[[Jasminum attenuatum]]''
*''[[Jasminum auriculatum]]''
*''[[Jasminum azoricum]]''
*''[[Jasminum beesianum]]''
*''[[Jasminum cinnamomifolium]]''
*''[[Jasminum coffeinum]]''
*''[[Jasminum craibianum]]''
*''[[Jasminum cuspidatumkmkm]]''
*''[[Jasminum dichotomum]]'' – Gold Coast Jasmine
*''[[Jasminum dispermum]]''
*''[[Jasminum duclouxii]]''
*''[[Jasminum elongatum]]''
*''[[Jasminum flexile]]''
*''[[Jasminum floridum]]''
*''[[Jasminum fluminense]]'' – African Jasmine
*''[[Jasminum fruticans]]''
*''[[Jasminum fuchsiifolium]]''
*''[[Jasminum grandiflorum]]'' – Spanish jasmine
*''[[Jasminum guangxiense]]''
*''[[Jasminum hongshuihoense]]''
*''[[Jasminum humile]]'' – Yellow Jasmine
*''[[Jasminum lanceolaria]]''
*''[[Jasminum lang]]''
*''[[Jasminum latifolium]]''
*''[[Jasminum laurifolium]]''
|
*''[[Jasminum longitubum]]''
*''[[Jasminum mesnyi]]'' – Primrose Jasmine
*''[[Jasminum microcalyx]]''
*''[[Jasminum molle]]'' - Indian Jui
*''[[Jasminum multiflorum]]'' – Star Jasmine
*''[[Jasminum nervosum]]''
*''[[Jasminum nintooides]]''
*''[[Jasminum nitidum]]'' – Shining Jasmine
*''[[Jasminum nudiflorum]]'' – Winter Jasmine
*''[[Jasminum odoratissimum]]''
*''[[Jasminum officinale]]'' – Common Jasmine
*''[[Jasminum parkeri]]''
*''[[Jasminum pentaneurum]]''
*''[[Jasminum pierreanum]]''
*''[[Jasminum polyanthum]]'' - Pink Jasmine
*''[[Jasminum prainii]]''
*''[[Jasminum pubescens]]''
*''[[Jasminum rehderianum]]''
*''[[Jasminum rex]]''
*''[[Jasminum roxburghianum]]''
*''[[Jasminum rufohirtum]]''
*''[[Jasminum sambac]]'' – Arabian Jasmine
*''[[Jasminum seguinii]]''
*''[[Jasminum sinense]]''
*''[[Jasminum stephanense]]''
*''[[Jasminum subglandulosum]]''
*''[[Jasminum subhumile]]''
*''[[Jasminum tonkinense]]''
*''[[Jasminum urophyllum]]''
*''[[Jasminum wengeri]]''
*''[[Jasminum yuanjiangense]]''
|}

===Cultivation and uses===
[[Image:Malligai_Ramabaanam.jpg|thumb|left|''Jasminum sambac'' flowers harvested for Malligai - Raama Baanam]]
Jasmines are widely cultivated for their flowers, enjoyed in the [[garden]], as house plants, and as cut flowers. The flowers are worn by women in their hair in southern and southeast Asia. Some claim that the daily consumption of Jasmine tea is effective in preventing certain cancers. Many species also yield an [[absolute (substance)|absolute]] which is used in the production of [[perfume]]s and [[incense]].

Jasmine [[tisane]] is consumed in [[China]], where it is called Jasmine flower tea (茉莉花茶; [[pinyin]]: mò lì huā chá). [[Jasminum sambac]] flowers are also used to make [[tea]], which often has a base of [[green tea]], but sometimes an [[Oolong]] base is used. The delicate Jasmine flower opens only at night and is plucked in the morning when the tiny petals are tightly closed. They are then stored in a cool place until night. Between six and eight in the evening, as the temperature cools, the petals begin to open. Flowers and tea are "mated" in machines that control temperature and humidity. It takes four hours or so for the tea to absorb the fragrance and flavour of the Jasmine blossoms, and for the highest grades, this process may be repeated as many as seven times. Because the tea has absorbed moisture from the flowers, it must be refired to prevent spoilage. The spent flowers may or may not be removed from the final product, as the flowers are completely dry and contain no aroma. Giant fans are used to blow away and remove the petals from the denser tea leaves. If present, they simply add visual appeal and are no indication of the quality of the tea. Typically, Jasmine petals left in the tea are for export, whereas domestic Chinese tastes prefer the petals removed from the tea.

[[Image:Jsambac.jpg|thumb|left|A double-flowered cultivar of ''Jasminum sambac'' in flower with an unopened bud. The flower smells exactly like the tea as it opens.]]
''Jasminum sambac'' is also the [[National emblem|National Flower]] of [[Indonesia]], where it is known as "Melati", and of the [[Philippines]], where it is known as "[[Sampaguita]]". In Indonesia (especially the island of Java), it is the most important flower in wedding ceremonies for ethnic Indonesians. ''Jasminum officinale'' is the national flower of [[Pakistan]], where it is known as the "Chambeli" or "Yasmine". In [[Sanskrit]] it is called Mallika. Jasmine is cultivated at [[Pangala]], in [[Karnataka]], India, and exported to [[Middle East]] countries{{Fact|date=February 2007}}.

''J. fluminense'' is an [[invasive species]] in [[Hawaii]], where it is sometimes known by the inaccurate name "Brazilian Jasmine". ''J. dichotomum'' is also invasive in [[Florida]]. <br clear = left>

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

==References==
*[http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/cgi-bin/nph-readbtree.pl/feout?FAMILY_XREF=&GENUS_XREF=Jasminum&SPECIES_XREF=&TAXON_NAME_XREF=&RANK= Flora Europaea: ''Jasminum'']
*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=116771 Flora of China: ''Jasminum'']
*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=116771 Flora of Pakistan: ''Jasminum'']


[[Category:Oleaceae]]
[[Category:Flora of Africa]]
[[Category:Flora of Asia]]
[[Category:Flora of Europe]]
[[Category:National symbols of Pakistan]]
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