Carolina jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens is a highly toxic, but beautiful, trailing woody vine that grows in the coastal and Piedmont areas of the Carolinas. It is found in bluffs to swamps throughout the Southeastern United States, most frequently seen along fence lines, open woods and roadsides. G. sempervirens produces small clusters of fragrant yellow, showy trumpet-shaped flowers late winter to early spring. G. sempervirens is the South Carolina state flower.
There are previous reported cases of losses of over 6,000 birds due to ingestion of yellow jessamine in North Carolina.
Toxic components
All parts of G. sempervirens are toxic to poultry, however the rhizomes have the highest amount of toxins. The plant parts contain strychnine-related alkaloids gelsemine, gelseminine and sempervirine.
- wry neck
- progressive muscle weakness
- seizure activity
- death
- D Filatova Gelsemine - from yellow jasmine and Arthur Conan Doyles' self-poisoning experience University of Copenhagen (2019)
- Williamson, J. H.; Craig, F. R.; Barber, C. W.; Cook, F. W. Some effects of feeding Gelsemium sempervirens (yellow jessamine) to young chickens and turkeys. Avian Dis, 8(2), 183-190 (1964)
- Craig, F. R.; Williamson, H. Poultry sickness traced to yellow jessamine. North Carolina Res Farming, 22(1), 3 (1963)
- Morton, J. F. Ornamental plants with poisonous properties Proc Florida State Hort Soc, 71(Oct), 372-380 (1958)
- King, E. D. Jr Poisonous plants of the south. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 57 302-313 (1920)
