Japanese name: オオバナソケイ（大花素馨） Scientific name:Jasminum grandiflorum
[Overview]
An evergreen climbing shrub about 1–4 m tall.
The leaves are opposite and odd-pinnately compound, 5–12 cm long, with 3–4 pairs of entire leaflets.
The bases of the upper lateral leaflets tend to become winged and run down the rachis.
Cymes at the branch tips bear 5–6 flowers.
The flowers are white, about 3.5 cm across, with 4–5 lobes.
The outside of the petals may be pale pink.
The flowers have a sweet, strong fragrance, which is especially noticeable at night.
[History]
It reached Europe via ancient Persia, and reached Japan through China.
[Uses]
In India, the leaves are used medicinally in Ayurveda, and the flowers are used as women's hair ornaments.
The flowers have a strong fragrance, and flowers gathered just after opening are used to extract an essential oil, which is sold as jasmine flower essential oil.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
It prefers a sunny location and sandy soil.
It is vigorous but somewhat susceptible to cold, and the tips of the branches may die back in winter.
