The Herbarium at the University of Georgia Poisonous Plants of Georgia
The Herbarium of the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
Common Name:
Scientific Name:
Carolina jessamine Gelsemium sempervirens (L.) St. Hil.
Family:
 Loganiaceae
Click for photos and scientific description Click for photos and scientific description Click for photos and scientific description
Click on the photos to enlarge images and read a scientific description.
This plant may be poisonous to both humans and animals. Please refer to the "Symptoms" section below for information regarding susceptiblity of animal species to poisoning.
Description:
 Carolina jessamine is usually climbing or trailing vines with evergreen leaves. The leaves are opposite and lance-shaped to narrowly oval. The flowers occur in clusters that are rounded-topped. Each flower is yellow and is composed of a tube that spreads to 5 lobes. Carolina jessamine is a popular ornamental vine commonly planted around mailboxes or near trellises in the southeastern United States.
Toxic Part: All parts of the plant are toxic especially the roots and flowers.
Toxin: The alkaloids gelsemine, gelseminine, gelsemoidin
Symptoms: Muscular weakness including jaw drooping, headache, visual disturbance, dizziness, decrease in respiratory rate, and muscular spasms in the extremeties are common symptoms.
Treatment: Activated charcoal is effective and the use of ascorbic acid to acidify the urine which promotes alkaloid excretion has been used to treat intoxication although there is no clearly efficient treatment.
References: 15, 24, 105
This site is NOT a substitute for the advice of medical physician. Plant poisonings can, in certain cases, result in SERIOUS HARM AND EVEN DEATH. Please contact a physician or your local poison control center if you suspect any plant poisoning. A link to the Georgia Poison Control Center can be found on the "References and Links" page of this site.