Day jessamine
Native to: Tropical America
Day jessamine was introduced into Florida before the 1930s as an ornamental shrub. This species has escaped from cultivation and has naturalized in many regions where it grows as individual plants or in thickets. Day jessamine is widely planted for its fragrant flowers, which are produced year-round.
Day jessamine can be found invading hammocks and disturbed habitats in central and south Florida. May be confused with malberry (Ardisia escallonoides), a similar-looking native shrub. Seeds are readily dispersed by birds.
The UF/IFAS Assessment lists day jessamine as a species of caution (must be managed to prevent escape) and FLEPPC lists it as a Category ll invasive species.
Avoid planting day jessamine to prevent it from escaping and invading nearby natural areas. Native alternatives to day jessamine for use in home landscaping include coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), purple passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) and wild allamanda (Pentalinon luteum).
Hand pull or dig out seedlings and saplings when possible.
Small infestations can be dug out.
There are no known biological control agents for day jessamine.