Jasmine can be either deciduous or evergreen, and can be erect, spreading, or climbing shrubs and vines. The leaves are borne in opposing or alternating arrangement and can be of simple, trifoliate, or pinnate formation.
The flowers are typically around 2.5 cm (0.98 in) in diameter. They are white or yellow, although in rare instances they can be slightly reddish. The flowers are borne in cymose clusters with a minimum of three flowers, though they can also be solitary on the ends of branchlets. Each flower has about four to nine petals, two locules, and one to four ovules. They have two stamens with very short filaments. The bracts are linear or ovate. The calyx is bell-shaped. They are usually very fragrant.[4][6]
The name comes from Old French jessemin, from Persian: یاسمن, romanized: yāsamin[15] which is derived from the Middle Persian word yāsaman and yāsamīn (يَاسَمِين) in Arabic.[16][17] The word entered Middle French around 1570 and was first used in English in 16th century England.[17] The Persian name is also the origin of the genus name, Jasminum.[18]
Taxonomy
Species belonging to the genus are classified under the tribe Jasmineae of the olive family (Oleaceae).[4]Jasminum is divided into five sections—Alternifolia, Jasminum, Primulina, Trifoliolata, and Unifoliolata.[19]
Jasmine lends its name to jasmonate plant hormones, as methyl jasmonate isolated from the oil of Jasminum grandiflorum led to the discovery of the molecular structure of jasmonates.[21] Jasmonates occur ubiquitously across the plantkingdom, having key roles in responses to environmental cues, such as heat or cold stress, and participate in the signal transduction pathways of many plants.[22]
Cultural importance
Jasmine is cultivated commercially for domestic and industrial uses, such as the perfume industry.[23] It is used in rituals like marriages, religious ceremonies, and festivals.[24] Jasmine flower vendors sell garlands of jasmine, or in the case of the thicker motiyaa (in Hindi) or mograa (in Marathi) varieties, bunches of jasmine are common.[25] They may be found around entrances to temples, on major thoroughfares, and in major business areas.
A change in presidency in Tunisia in 1987[26][27] and the Tunisian Revolution of 2011 are both called "Jasmine revolutions" in reference to the flower.[28]
"Jasmine" is a common female given name.
surface of Jasmine tea
The White Jasmine Branch, painting of ink and color on silk by Chinese artist Zhao Chang, early 12th century
Jasmine used as garland
Jasmine flower blooming
Jasmine flowers harvest in Reggio Calabria, Italy (1965)
Symbolism
Several countries and states consider jasmine as a national symbol.
Hawaii: Jasminum sambac ("pikake") is a common flower used in leis and is the subject of many Hawaiian songs.[30]
Indonesia: Jasminum sambac is the national flower, adopted in 1990.[31] It goes by the name "melati putih" and is used in wedding ceremonies for ethnic Indonesians, especially on the island of Java.
Pakistan: Jasminum officinale is known as the "chambeli" or "yasmin", it is the national flower.[32]
Philippines: Jasminum sambac is the national flower. Adopted in 1935, it is known as "sampaguita" in the islands. It is usually strung in garlands which are then used to adorn religious images.[33]
Thailand: Jasmine flowers are used as a symbol of motherhood.[34]
Tunisia: The national flower of Tunisia is jasmine. It was chosen as a symbol for the Tunisian Revolution.
Iran: (and/or Shia Islam), Jasmine is considered as a symbol for Fatimah al-Zahra, the daughter of the Islam prophet Muhammad.[35]
↑Demole E; Lederer, E.; Mercier, D. (1962). "Isolement et détermination de la structure du jasmonate de méthyle, constituant odorant caractéristique de l'essence de jasmin". Helv Chim Acta45 (2): 675–85. doi:10.1002/hlca.19620450233. Bibcode: 1962HChAc..45..675D.