Oleaceae

Jasminum volubile

(Synonym: Jasminum simplicifolium subsp. australiense)

STIFF JASMINE

Scandent shrub or climber with stems straggling to climbing, to several metres long. Buds and young stems sparsely hairy, stems becoming hairless; stipules absent.

Leaves 1-foliolate, opposite or rarely sub-opposite or whorled; lamina ovate to lanceolate, 3–7 cm long and 1–4 cm wide, apex ± acute, base tapered to rounded, margins entire, leathery, surfaces hairless, upper surface usually glossy dark green, lower surface paler and ± dull; pinnately veined with 3–6 pairs of lateral veins, usually distinct on both surfaces and usually ± 3-veined from base, venation raised on both surfaces; petiole 5–10 mm long, distinctly jointed a little above the base.

Inflorescences terminal and in upper axils, dichasial cymes, sometimes paniculate, 11–40-flowered. Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic, usually 5-merous, fragrant; calyx 5–8-lobed; corolla tube 8–10 mm long, white, stamens 2; ovary superior.

Fruit fleshy, a berry, ellipsoid to globose, 9–12 mm diam., black, shiny, 2-lobed or more usually 1-lobed by abortion; seed solitary in each lobe.

Illustration of leaves & fruit

Habitat and Distribution:

In STRf, LRf, DRf and VTs; north from Ash Island (Hunter River estuary), N.S.W., to Milman Island (SE of Cape York), N Qld, and west to Carnarvon N.P., Qld.

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