One of the earliest flowers to bloom in the maritime forest, Carolina Jessamine clambers to the tops of tall trees to wreathe them in garlands of bright yellow flowers. Not to be confused with Confederate Jasmine, Jessamine is described in historian Anna King Gregorie’s recounting of a visit to Dewees Island along with a poem by Henry Timrod. She writes,
But the day is too beautiful to remain indoors. So we stroll out into the fragrant woods, where the pale yellow stars of the jessamine vine fall in cascades from the treetops, perfuming the air and bringing to mind the music of (Timrod)
Out in the lonely woods the jasmine burns
Its fragrant lamps, and turns
Into a royal court with green festoons
The banks of dark lagoons
(Henry Timrod)