A wild jasmine creeper which clings to a banyan tree along the road in Nilatur village of Srinivaspur taluk draws the attention of passers-by.
Jasmine is a popular flower especially among women and is found in many varieties such as Jaji Mallige, Sooji Mallige and Dundu Mallige. Mysore Mallige was made famous by the poet K S Narasimhaswamy in his poetry volume of the same name.
However, wild jasmine is now becoming a rarity as forest cover is declining. Wild Jasmine is a small climbing shrub. The Stem is smooth with oppositely arranged, simple leaves are very variable even on the same plant. Leaves are elliptic-ovate.
The smooth leaves are acute, base obtuse or almost rounded. One inch across white, star-like flowers are exquisitely fragrant.
The flowers are either solitary or more usually in threes. Petals are seven of eight in number, but can be more in number. Petals are linear, obtuse, very acute.
The flowers generally bloom during June to August.
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