Happy Monday! Our plant of the week today is Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides). Despite its name, Star Jasmine isn’t a real Jasmine, and is instead a member of the Dogbane family. It’s known for its strong, sweet scent that’s highly sought after for perfumes and other cosmetics. During winter, Star Jasmine can handle cold conditions and briefly survive temperatures down to roughly 10-15 F.
Downy Jasmine is sometimes confused for Star Jasmine, as they look very similar. If you’re unsure if a plant is real Star Jasmine, snap a stem; if it produces a white, milky sap, it is the real thing. Be mindful though, as the milky sap it produces can cause skin irritation for some people. Otherwise, Star Jasmine is considered nontoxic and safe for pets.
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