Definition

Noun: * Common Jasmine, Poet's Jasmine: A specific species of climbing, deciduous shrub belonging to the genus Jasminum. It is characterized by its fragrant flowers, which are typically white but can also be yellow or red. These flowers are commercially valuable for use in perfumery and for flavoring tea.

Usage

• The term 'Jasminum officinale' is the precise botanical or scientific name for this plant. It is used in formal, academic, horticultural, and commercial contexts.
• In everyday language, people are more likely to use its common names, such as "common jasmine" or "poet's jasmine."

Examples

• Scientific/Horticultural Context:
  • The garden's trellis is covered in Jasminum officinale, which fills the evening air with its scent.
  • For our study on fragrance extraction, we will use flowers from Jasminum officinale.
• Commercial/Descriptive Context:
  • The essential oil derived from Jasminum officinale is a key ingredient in many high-end perfumes.
  • This green tea is delicately scented with the blossoms of Jasminum officinale.

Advanced Usage

• The species name 'officinale' (or 'officinalis') is a Latin term meaning "of the workshop" (i.e., of the apothecary's workshop). It is traditionally used in botanical nomenclature to denote plants that have a long history of medicinal, culinary, or economic use.
• In taxonomic classification, is part of the family Oleaceae.

Variants and Related Words

• Common jasmine (n): The most frequently used common name for .
• Poet's jasmine (n): Another common name, emphasizing its romantic and classic associations.
• Summer jasmine (n): A name referring to its primary flowering season.
• Jasmine (n): The general common name for plants in the genus . This is a broader term that includes many other species besides .
• Jasminum (n): The genus name to which this species belongs.

Synonyms

• Common jasmine
• Poet's jasmine
• Summer jasmine
• True jasmine (though this can be ambiguous)

Notes on Meaning

• The primary meaning of 'Jasminum officinale' is strictly botanical, referring to this specific species. It should not be confused with other jasmine species, such as (Arabian jasmine) or the unrelated "star jasmine" ().
• Its defining characteristics, as per the definition, are: 1) a climbing, deciduous shrub, 2) fragrant flowers (white/yellow/red), and 3) use in perfume and tea.

Noun

1. a climbing deciduous shrub with fragrant white or yellow or red flowers used in perfume and to flavor tea