Virginia Tech Dendrology

false jessamine Loganiaceae Gelsemium sempervirens (L.) W.T. Aiton symbol: GESE
Leaf: Opposite, simple, oblong to lanceolate, sharp tip, evergreen, entire margins, somewhat thickened, 1 to 3 inches long, during growing season green but more yellowish green in winter.
Flower: Very attractive, fragrant, bright yellow, bell shaped, with five short rounded lobes, 1 inch long, solitary or in small clusters, appearing early spring.
Fruit: Capsules, 1 inch long, somewhat flattened, appear in the summer.
Twig: Slender, hairless, solid pith, green or reddish brown, very tough, buds have loose scales.
Bark: Brown to reddish brown, becoming fissured and somewhat flutted appearing.
Form: Twining vine that scrambles over bushes and fences. It becomes quite dense in full sunlight.
Looks like: swamp jessamine - Japanese honeysuckle

Additional Range Information: Gelsemium sempervirens is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Fall Color
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information