Species Overview

Native to: Tropical West Africa

The genus Jasminum, of the Oleaceae or olive family, contains over 200 species of vines or shrubs with opposite leaves, many with fragrant flowers, native to the warmer parts of the Old World. Brazilian jasmine was introduced to Florida in the early 1920s via horticulture and has escaped cultivation in South Florida. Can be distinguished from J. dichotomum in that its leaves are trifoliolate and glabrous, and the flowers are borne in larger clusters.

Species Characteristics

Family: Oleaceae

Habit: Evergreen, climbing, woody vine, with young stems densely hairy and mature stems glabrous.

Leaves: 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.

Flowers: 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.

Fruit: A small, fleshy, roundish, black, 2-lobed berry.

Distribution in Florida: South Florida

Impacts

This jasmine produces a large number of bird and mammal-dispersed seeds with very high germination rates. An 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.

Do not plant.

Hand pull seedlings.

More research needed.

No known biological control agents.

Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A or 10% Garlon 4. Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. It is helpful to pull runners back to the main stem, cut, and apply Garlon 3A or Garlon 4 to the cut stem. Re-treatment of areas is usually necessary. Foliar: 5% glyphosate product. Reach out to your local UF IFAS Extension for further assistance with management recommendations. Additional management recommendations can be found in the EDIS Publication Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida.