Gelsemium

Stems: internodes glabrous, puberulent, or retrorsely scabridulous, nodes glabrous to antrorsely short-pubescent. Leaves: stipular colleters linear, 1–4 on each side of petiole base. Inflorescences: flowers solitary or in reduced, simple cymes, pedicellate; bracteoles lanceolate, ovate, or deltate, proximal usually with single linear colleter at base on each side. Flowers fragrant or not; sepals lanceolate, ovate, or oblong, apex acuminate, obtuse, or rounded; corolla yellow to orange, lobe apex obtuse, rounded, or emarginate [acuminate]; stamens inserted at base to middle of tube; filaments glabrous; anthers connivent or separate, sagittate; styles glabrous. Capsules elliptic to oblong, dehiscence septicidal into 4 segments. Seeds ovate [elliptic to reniform], wings absent or unilateral [circumferential]. x = 8.

Distribution

e United States, Mexico, Central America, e Asia.

Discussion

Species 3 (2 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Gelsemium rankinii, Gelsemium sempervirens

Key

1	Abaxial leaf surface with small patch of spreading trichomes at extreme base; sepals acuminate; distal 1/2 of pedicels ebracteolate; seeds not winged; capsule beak 2.4–4.2 mm; flowers usually not fragrant.	Gelsemium rankinii
1	Abaxial leaf surface glabrous or slightly scabridulous at base; sepals obtuse to narrowly rounded; distal 1/2 of pedicels bracteolate; seeds with unilateral wing; capsule beak 1–2 mm; flowers usually fragrant.	Gelsemium sempervirens