Jasminum multiflorum

Jasminum multiflorum (Burm. f.) Andrews, Bot. Rapos. 8, t. 496. 1807; J. pubescens (Retz.) Willd., Sp. Pl. 1: 37. 1797; Parker, For. Fl. Punj. ed. 1: 316. 1918 (Reprint 1973); Nyctanthus multiflora Burm.f., Fl. Indica 5. 1768; N.pubescens Retz., Observ. Bot. 5: 9. 1788.

An evergreen scandent shrub or weak climber up to 6 m in height, branches spreading and slender, tomentose. Leaves opposite, simple; petiole 5-12 mm long, stout, tomentose; leaf blade 2.5-7 cm x 2-3.5 cm, ovate, apex acute or acuminate, margin entire, base subtruncate, round or cordate, upper surface puberulous, lower surface tomentose, especially on the veins. Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic, hypogynous, ca. 3 cm across, white, fragrant, sessile or nearly so (pedicel up to 2 mm long), many in dense clustered, capitate or umbellate cymes, often at the ends of dwarf lateral branchlets or axillary. Lateral branchlets with 2-3 opposite pairs of reduced leaves (bracts), bracts ovate, 1.5-2 cm long, pubescent. Calyx funnelform, densely tomentose; tube ca. 3 mm long; lobes 5-9, linear, filiform, 1.2-1.3 cm long, green. Corolla salverform, white, sweetly scented; tube white, slender, exceeding the calyx, 2-2.6 cm; limb 2.5-3 cm in diameter with 6-9 lobes, lobes (shorter than tube) 1.6-1.7 cm x 4-6 mm, oblong-lanceolate, acute, white above, purple below. Stamens 2, included, inserted at above the mid of corolla tube; filaments 0.5 mm long; anthers 5.5-6 mm long, oblong, apiculate, dorsifixed. Carpels 2, syncarpous; ovary superior, bilocular, one ovule per loculus; style slender, 4 mm long; stigma ca. 2.5 mm long, bilobed, included.

Fruit an ellipsoid berry, ca. 1 cm long, black when ripe, 2-seeded, rarely produced. (Fruits not observed)

Flowering and Fruiting: Almost throughout the year
Common Names: Downy Jasmine, Indian Jasmine, Musk Jasmine, Star Jasmine, Winter Jasmine; Ban Malti, Palind, Dala-Dhak, Dal-Kosh, Dant-Patraka, Jangali Chameli, Kund, Kunda (Hindi)