Green Cestrum
| Botanical Name | Cestrum parqui |
|---|---|
| Family | Solanaceae |
| Origin | Warm temperate South America |
Identification
Perennial shrub, usually 1 to 2 metres with offensive smelling leaves. Flowers greenish-yellow, tubular, with five small petals, and are borne in loose clusters at the ends of the branches. Flowers fragrant at night, but offensive smelling by day.Habitats
Waste areas, and stream banks where it has escaped from gardens.Impact to Biota and Ecosystems
Grows in dense masses, crowding out other species. The species is noted for its extreme toxicity to farm animals including cattle, sheep, horses, pigs and poultry. Numerous animals have been killed when they have gained access and browsed plants.Dispersal Routes, Vectors, Infestation Sources
Usually spread by planting in gardens. Seeds may be spread by birds, or water, and pieces cut roots spread on machinery may establish new colonies.Management
Physical Control
Practicable with small infestations. Cut down, dig out stumps and roots completely and burn.
Further Comment
Stock death resulting from eating cestrum has been reported. For more information on the poisonous properties of Cestrum please refer to Bay of Plenty Regional Council's Fact Sheet on Poisonous Plants.