6440.000 Jasminum L. - Jasmines

Shrubs, often partly climbing or climbers. Leaves opposite, whorled or alternate, simple or compound. Domatia sometimes present in the axils of lateral nerves on the lower leaf surface. Inflorescences few-many flowered, cymose or solitary. Flowers scented. Calyx with cup-shaped tube and 5-15 teeth. Corolla white or yellow, salver-shaped with 5-13 lobes. Fruit a deeply 2-lobed, 2-seeded berry.

Derivation of name: from ysmyn, the Arabic name for the genus.

Worldwide: 200 species, mainly tropical, with a few temperate.

Zimbabwe: 14 cultivated taxa.