Family: Apocynaceae

A flowering, woody vine. Shiny, green, egg-shaped leaves are oppositely arranged. Fragrant, white, pinwheel-shaped flowers grow in abundant clusters. Bees will frequently visit during the blooming period in Spring and Summer. Native to China, Vietnam, Japan, and Korea, the first report of cultivation in Hawaii was in 1917.

To date, there are no reports of naturalization in Hawaii, but it can become a landscaping nightmare. Fast-growing vines that are drought tolerant can quickly run amock, smothering host trees, growing into the forest edge, and ruining the integrity of fences or other human-made support systems. But, regular pruning will solve the problem. It can be a ground cover if the pruning is extensive enough. There are no serious pests.

The common name confederate jasmine is misleading as it is not jasmine, nor are they related. Confederate jasmine is more closely related to plumeria than true jasmines.

Plant Uses:

• Container plant
• Fragrant
• Lei flower
• Ornamental
• Privacy / screening

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate tolerance (USDA zones 8a–11; 200–1300 m elevation)
  
• Repeated introductions outside native range (US, Australia)
  
• Shade tolerant (sun to full shade)
  
• Wide soil tolerance (sand, loam, clay; acid to alkaline)
  
• Climbing woody liana (to 10 m) — can smother vegetation
  
• Vegetative spread via self-layering (roots at nodes/stem tips)
  
• Tolerates shearing/pruning

Low Risk Traits:

• Rarely naturalizes (only occasional escape)
  
• Not an agricultural, environmental, or economic weed
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Requires specialist hawkmoth pollinators
  
• No prolific seed production in cultivation
  
• No persistent seed bank
  
• Limited dispersal (wind only; no water, bird, or animal dispersal)
  
• Low toxicity to humans; not toxic to animals