Night-flowering Cestrum
Cestrum nocturnum

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows 2-4 m tall. The leaf stalk is less than 1.2 cm long. The leaf blades are narrowly oval and 8-16 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. The flowers have a strong smell at night. The fruit are small white berries.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is best with rich, moist, well-drained soils. It needs a protected, sunny position. It is damaged by drought or frost. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andaman Is., Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Belize, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central America (country/location of origin), Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Is., Congo DR, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Leeward Is., Lesser Antilles, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, South America (country/location of origin), Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad-Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked in fat with tortillas. Caution: Many Cestrum plants contain alkaloids that are poisonous. The flowers can cause allergies.

It is a cultivated food plant. It should only be eaten with great caution.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed or cuttings.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

'Alaaumoe, Chinese inkberry, Fafine o te po, Huele de noche, Kembang wangi malam, Kupaoa, Lady of the night, Night jessamine, Night scented jasmine, Nya-hmwe-pan, Onaona iapana, Raat ki rani,Saung-taw-ku

Synonyms

Chiococca nocturna (L.) Jacq.; Cestrum graciliflorum Dunal; and others