from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Jasmine \Jas"mine\, n. [F. jasmin, Sp. jazmin, Ar.
y[=a]sm[imac]n, Pers. y[=a]sm[imac]n; cf. It. gesmino,
gelsomino. Cf. {Jessamine}.] (Bot.)
A shrubby plant of the genus {Jasminum}, bearing flowers of a
peculiarly fragrant odor. The {Jasminum officinale}, common
in the south of Europe, bears white flowers. The Arabian
jasmine is {Jasminum Sambac}, and, with {Jasminum
angustifolia}, comes from the East Indies. The yellow false
jasmine in the {Gelseminum sempervirens} (see {Gelsemium}).
Several other plants are called jasmine in the West Indies,
as species of {Calotropis} and {Faramea}. [Written also
{jessamine}.]
[1913 Webster]
{Cape jasmine}, or {Cape jessamine}, the {Gardenia florida},
a shrub with fragrant white flowers, a native of China,
and hardy in the Southern United States.
[1913 Webster]