Brazilian jasmine
Jasminum fluminense Vell.

Jasminum fluminense, commonly known as Brazilian jasmine, is a climbing shrub belonging to the Oleaceae family. It is native to various regions in the Caribbean, Central and South America, and parts of Africa, including Angola. This species is often found in a range of habitats such as wooded savannahs, open forests, thickets, and grassy savannahs, as well as in fallow and disturbed areas. It is utilized for medicinal purposes and is known locally in Angola as kalokolo-demii.
Description
Jasminum fluminense is a climbing shrub that exhibits a versatile growth habit, allowing it to thrive in a variety of ecological settings. It is commonly encountered in wooded savannahs, open forests, thickets, and grassy savannahs. In addition to these natural habitats, it is also found in fallow and disturbed sites, indicating its adaptability to human-altered environments. The plant is noted for its use in traditional medicine, although specific details on its medicinal applications are not widely documented.
Habitat
This species is typically found in wooded savannahs, open forests, thickets, and grassy savannahs. It is also known to inhabit fallow and disturbed areas, suggesting a high degree of adaptability to different environmental conditions. Its presence in these diverse habitats highlights its ecological flexibility and resilience.
Cultivation
Jasminum fluminense is not commonly cultivated for ornamental or commercial purposes, but its adaptability to various habitats suggests it could be grown in similar ecological conditions. It likely prefers well-drained soils and moderate to high sunlight exposure, typical of the savannah and forest edge environments it naturally inhabits. Further research or local horticultural practices may provide more detailed cultivation guidelines.
Uses
The plant is used for medicinal purposes, though the specific applications and preparations are not widely detailed in the literature. In Angola, it is known by the local name kalokolo-demii, which may indicate its traditional significance in the region. Further ethnobotanical studies could reveal more about its potential therapeutic uses and cultural importance.
Other common names
Brazilian jasmineJasminjazmin de trapo
Distribution
BR · CU · CW · SX · AW · AI · BI · IQ · JM · AG · BB · KN · RW · DM · PA · TC · Atlántico · SV · HN · HT · BZ · BS · NI · Hawaii · conterminous 48 United States · Angola · Bahamas · Belize · Botswana · Brazil Northeast
Synonyms
Jasminum azoricum var. fluminenseJasminum bahiense var. fluminense


