Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Gelsemiaceae

Genus:

Gelsemium

Species:

Gelsemium sempervirens

USDA Symbol:

GESE

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub , Vine

Height:

600 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun,Part Shade

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

feb,mar,apr,may

Bloom Colors:

yellow

Wildlife Benefits

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

hummingbirds, butterflies

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fragrant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from root crown following fire; common in fire-maintained pine woodlands of the southeastern coastal plain.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rich, well-drained loamy soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

prefers organic matter-rich soils

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–42 days

Notes:

Seeds germinate best with cold stratification and light exposure. Fresh seed germinates more readily than stored seed.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI