Gelsemium

Gelsemium is a genus of flowering plants in the family Loganiaceae. Species in this genus are woody climbers or shrubs, commonly grown as ornamentals for their bright, yellow tubular flowers. All parts of the plant contain toxic alkaloids and exposure can be dangerous to humans and animals.

The two best-known species are Gelsemium sempervirens, the Carolina jessamine, a climbing vine native to the southeastern United States and parts of Mexico, and Gelsemium elegans, native to Southeast Asia. The genus includes other described species, with taxonomic boundaries varying among authorities.

Toxicology: The principal toxic alkaloid is gelsemine, with other alkaloids such as koumine present in some species. Poisoning can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness, muscular paralysis, respiratory depression, and potentially death. There is no widely used antidote; treatment is supportive and directed at maintaining vital functions.

Uses and research: Because of the high toxicity, Gelsemium is not used clinically in modern medicine. It has historical use in some traditional remedies in very small, controlled doses, and certain alkaloids have been studied in pharmacological research, but safety concerns limit practical applications.

Cultivation and safety: Gelsemium species are cultivated in warm, sheltered locations where frost is rare. They can be grown as ornamentals on trellises and fences but should be handled with care to avoid ingestion or skin exposure, and kept away from children and pets.