Italian jasmine

Italian jasmine is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 2.5 metres tall. It is a favourite in gardens due to its bright yellow flowers.

Description

• Leaves are pinnate and alternate, divided into 3-7 stalkless leaflets and a terminal leaflet.

• Flowers are yellow, clustered and tubular, visible between July and April.

• Fruit is glossy, black and less than 8mm in diameter.

• Seeds are dispersed by birds and fragments by water, soil or vehicle movement and dumped vegetation.

• Habitats include wasteland, rocky outcrops, exposed places, forest gaps and cliffs.

What you need to know

Italian jasmine forms dense patches, that outcompetes native vegetation and preventing native seedlings from growing.

Management approach

Italian jasmine is declared an unwanted organism by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) because it is capable of causing harm to the natural environment, physical resources or human health in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

These species pose a high risk to our environment, economy, recreation, and cultural values.

Rules

Any species declared a pest, including unwanted organisms, cannot be sold or be in a place where plants are being sold. Pest plants cannot be propagated, bred, or multiplied, communicated, released, or cause to be released, or otherwise spread.

Control

Do not attempt to undertake control of Italian jasmine yourself. Report any sightings to us.