Solanaceae

Cestrum parqui

Common Names: Green cestrum

Plant Form: Shrub. Size: Up to 3 m tall. Stem: Hairy and whitish when young, becoming woody brittle and light green with age. Leaves: Mid to dark olive-green, alternate along branches on short stalks, lance-shaped up to 10 cm long, tapering slightly to both ends. Flowers: Pale yellow to greenish-yellow narrow tubular trumpet-shaped with 5 triangular teeth at end. Up to 2.5 cm long. With unpleasant odour during day which becomes sweet at night. Fruit and Seeds: Egg-shaped fleshy berries up to 1.5 cm across which are shiny black or purple. Containing several wrinkly seeds. Habitat: Urban bushland, parks, gardens, wasteland, roadsides. Distinguishing Features: Lady of the Night (Cestrum nocturnum) is similar but has white berries and narrower flowers.