Cestrum nocturnum

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  • Botanical Name/Scientific Name: Cestrum nocturnum
  • Genus: Cestrum
  • Synonym: Cestrum nocturnum Lam.
  • Common/Local Name(s): night-blooming jasmine
  • Family: Solanaceae
  • Botanical Description: Cestrum nocturnum is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 2-4 meters (about 6-13 feet) in height. It often exhibits a bushy form and may spread widely if not pruned. The branches can be quite dense, contributing to its lush appearance. The leaves are simple, lanceolate to elliptical, and measure about 6-20 cm long and 2-4 cm wide. They are smooth-edged, glossy, and dark green, providing a stark contrast to its lighter-colored flowers. The plant is renowned for its flowers, which are tubular, slender, and typically pale yellow or creamy white. They are small, about 2-2.5 cm long, and grow in clusters at the ends of the branches. The flowers are most notable for their intense fragrance, which becomes especially strong at night, attracting nocturnal pollinators such as moths. Following flowering, Cestrum nocturnum produces small, white berries that contain seeds. The fruits are generally considered less ornamental compared to the blooms.
  • Flowering/Fruiting: Flowering tends to be most during the rainy season, from June to September.
  • Plant Uses: Ornamental Use(Landscaping), Aromatic Use(Fragrance) and Traditional Medicine.
  • Origin: Introduced
  • Locality: University of Port Harcourt Delta Campus.
  • Habit: Shrub
  • Mode: Cultivated

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