Cestrum parqui
Common name
green cestrum
Family
Solanaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
Conservation status
Not applicable
Habitat
Terrestrial.
Detailed description
Shrub, generally 1-3 m high. Petiole to 1 cm long. Lamina 1-12-(14) X 0.5-3 cm, lanceolate to narrow-ovate, minutely puberulent whan young, otherwise glabrous; base attenuate or cuneate; apex acute to short-acuminate. Infl. panniculate, dense; branches +/- puberulent; fls subsessile or with long pedicels to 7 mm long, fragrant nocturnally. Calyx 3-6 mm long; lobes 1 mm long, +/- triangular, obtuse to subacute; margins shortly villous. Corolla 1.5-2.3 cm long, greenish yellow or pale brownish yellow; tube narrow-salverform, widening slightly above; lobes 3.5-6 mm long, narrowly triangular, patent, shortly villous inside and on margins, acute or short-acuminate. Fr 7-10 X 6-8 mm, broad-ovoid to broad-ellipsoid, glossy, black or purplish black (Webb et al 1988).
Flowering
November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June
Flower colours
Green, Yellow
Life cycle
Perennial.
Year naturalised
1908
Origin
Warm temperate South America
Reason for introduction
Ornamental.
Tolerances
Resistant to frosts.
National Pest Plant Accord species
This plant is listed in the 2020 National Pest Plant Accord. The National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA) is an agreement to prevent the sale and/or distribution of specified pest plants where either formal or casual horticultural trade is the most significant way of spreading the plant in New Zealand. For up to date information and an electronic copy of the 2020 Pest Plant Accord manual (including plant information and images) visit the MPI website.