Help IDing this jasmine?

14 years ago

Hi all! After a year I've finally identified most of the dozens of perennials planted around the home we purchased here in No. CA, but I cannot ID this one evergreen jasmine growing on our deck. It's quite mature with a 1.5" diameter trunk at the base, and quite cold tolerant because the winters here do get below freezing on occasion. The leaves are glossy and opposite, and it would seem to be a confederate jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) EXCEPT the flower has eight petals.

Is this a weird variation, or another species?

I've tried googling "eight petal jasmine" and all I get are obscure spiritual references :-)

Thanks ahead for any um, "enlightenment" you can provide!

Comments (4)

Dar Sunset Zone 18
14 years ago
Eight petals sounds like Jasminum multiflorum (Downy Jasmine).

All Trachelospermum will leak a white sap when cut. And they just have 5 petals, unless there is a freakazoid mutation or hybrid out there.
Stacy (Zone 7a Piedmont)
Original Author
14 years ago
I believe you're right - Thanks! I could have waded through a million jasmines before figuring it out.
Oddly, most of the google'd images of the Downy Jasmine look like my specimen, glossy leaves and all. Not much down apparent on mine or other examples.
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jimshy
14 years ago
Berkster,

How's the fragrance on your jasmine? I've heard different things about this species, and never had a chance to smell it in person.

It's a pretty variable species, and not all cultivars have much down on the underside of the leaves.
Stacy (Zone 7a Piedmont)
Original Author
14 years ago
Jimshy,
The downy jasmine I have has a profound gardenia odor. It is very similar (in appearance and scent) to a jasmine I see frequently as a shrub in the Hollywood Hills in LA. I haven't sen it as much here in our cooler Berkeley climate.