Jasminum multipartitum

Starry wild jasmine, the common name of Jasminum multipartitum, tells that this is a desirable garden plant. The somewhat scrambling habit, dark green foliage, waxy white petals and pink or maroon outer surfaces of the flower tubes all add to the appeal. The evergreen shrub reaches 3 m in height. The Latin word, multipartitum, means many-parted. Mature plants meet that descriptor.

The aromatic aspect of the flowers is enhanced in the evening. Pollination is conducted more by nocturnal insects including hawk moths. The spring and summer flowers are followed by shiny, juicy and edible berries that are initially green, later bluish black.

The species distribution is in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and inland in Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Limpopo, as well as in some neighbouring states.

The habitat is wooded areas and bush-covered slopes. The plant grows in sun or semi-shade, is somewhat drought resistant and mild cold tolerant. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century. 

The species is similar to J. stenolobum but is less hairy (Onderstall, 1984; Germishuizen and Fabian, 1982; www.plantzafrica.com; www.kumbulanursery.co.za; http://redlist.sanbi.org).