Brazilian jasmine
Origin: Tropical West Africa
Introduction to Florida: 1923
C, SW, SE
DescriptionEvergreen, climbing, woody vine, with young stems densely hairy and mature stems glabrous.
Opposite, trifoliolate; leaf and leaflets stalked; terminal leaflet larger, to 7 cm (4 in) long with a stalk to 5 cm (2 in) long; leaflets broadly ovate, pubescent above and below with pointed tips.
White; in broad, branched clusters at leaf axils; petals fused into a narrow, slightly curved tube to 2.5 cm (1 in) long, with 5–7 terminal lobes shorter than the tube, spreading in star-shaped fashion; quite fragrant, opening at night.
A small, fleshy, roundish, black, 2-lobed berry.
ImpactsAn aggressive, troublesome, difficult-to-control weed; can climb high into the tree canopy of mature forests, completely enshrouding native vegetation and reducing native plant diversity. Has vigorously invaded intact, undisturbed hardwood forests in south Florida. FLEPPC Category I