Night Jessamine
Cestrum nocturnum
family
Solanaceae
origin
Exotic
declaration
NIL
For information only
Common names
Evening scented jessamine, Jessamine, Lady of the night, Night cestrum, Night scented jasmine, Night queen, Night-blooming jasmine, Night-flowering cestrum, Night-flowering jasmine, Night blooming cestrum, Queen of the night, Bastard jasmine.
An upright shrub or small tree up to 4m high, its young twigs are sparsely finely hairy; the undersurface of the leaf midrib is finely hairy; the leaves have an unpleasant odour when crushed. Flowers are greenish white to cream coloured and are produced in terminal panicles or clusters; the flowers are very strongly perfumed (said to resemble the aroma of "sweet custard powder") and the perfume is released during the hours of early evening and then into the night. The fruits are long oval to globular berries that are at first green but then become white.
Impact
Impact
Night jessamine (Cestrum nocturnum) has a negative impact on native ecosystems because it can form dense, shady thickets that outcompete the native flora and thus it prevents natural regeneration. It grows quickly and reproduces by both cuttings and seeds. In Auckland (New Zealand) the species is considered a seriously invasive weed. Cestrum nocturnum has also invaded areas of some of the Pacific Islands where it has formed dense and virtually impenetrable thickets., All parts of Cestrum nocturnum are highly toxic and there are reports of livestock deaths in New Zealand through this species. There is a report of a child who ingested the green berries over several weeks, however although the symptoms were considerable with vomiting and bleeding, the child recovered. So far there are no reports of human deaths., As a garden escapee, Cestrum nocturnum has invaded land near Sydney (New South Wales) and it is also reported as present in areas of coastal northern New South Wales.
Location
Location
Characteristics
Characteristics
Similar Species
Similar Species
Night jessamine (Cestrum nocturnum) has a negative impact on native ecosystems because it can form dense, shady thickets that outcompete the native flora and thus it prevents natural regeneration. It grows quickly and reproduces by both cuttings and seeds. In Auckland (New Zealand) the species is considered a seriously invasive weed. Cestrum nocturnum has also invaded areas of some of the Pacific Islands where it has formed dense and virtually impenetrable thickets., All parts of Cestrum nocturnum are highly toxic and there are reports of livestock deaths in New Zealand through this species. There is a report of a child who ingested the green berries over several weeks, however although the symptoms were considerable with vomiting and bleeding, the child recovered. So far there are no reports of human deaths., As a garden escapee, Cestrum nocturnum has invaded land near Sydney (New South Wales) and it is also reported as present in areas of coastal northern New South Wales.
