Jessamine Family

Alexander Krings

Vines [shrubs], perennial, twining (creeping), non-tendrillate. Leaves persistent, opposite (whorled), simple, petiolate, stipulate; interpetiolar stipules reduced to ridge [well-developed]; blade membranaceous, margins entire. Inflorescences axillary or terminal, flowers solitary or clustered, few-flowered [compound cymes, many-flowered]. Flowers bisexual, heterostylous [homostylous], actinomorphic or slightly zygomorphic, 5-merous [rarely 4-merous]; sepals caducous or persistent, 5, distinct; corolla funnelform, lobes imbricate in bud; stamens 5, epipetalous; anthers latrorse; ovary 2-locular; ovules several per locule; placentation axile; stigmas twice divided, appearing 4-cleft. Fruits capsules, not inflated [inflated], apex beaked [not beaked]. Seeds several, flattened, winged or not.

Genera 2, species 12 (1 genus, 2 species in the flora): e United States, Mexico, Central America, n South America, e Asia, Africa.

Lower Taxon

• Gelsemium Jussieu