Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)

March 24^th.  Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is one of the earliest blooming wildflowers in our area. The vines are unobtrusive, either crawling across the ground and climbing anything within reach, or high up in tall trees where it’s impossible to appreciate their flowers. 

This vine made the mistake of climbing up a small pine and hanging down within arm’s reach. Its blooms were unusually dense along the terminal end of the vine. 

So beautiful!

Reference: 

Native and Naturalized Plants of the Carolinas and Georgia: Gelsemium sempervirens