Queen of the night
Botanical Name
Cestrum nocturnum
Family
Solanaceae (nightshade) family
Also known as
night-scented jasmine
Where is it originally from?
Chile and Peru
What does it look like?
Smelly shrub 1.5-2.5 m tall with erect, hairless stems that become woody as the plant matures. Hairless, alternate leaves (5-15 x 1.5-6 cm) are foul-smelling when bruised. Large open clusters of strongly-scented pale green or greenish-white tubular flowers (15-20 mm long) with petal margins bent backwards and which only open at nightime appear from November to March, followed by clusters of glossy white berries (5-10 mm diameter).
Are there any similar species?
C. elegans, C. fasciculatum, C. aurantiacum, C. parqui and many native shrub species, eg. Mahoe, are similar.
Why is it weedy?
Produces many long-lived and widely dispersed seeds, and forms dense, shady masses. Likes damp conditions, is moderate to highly shade tolerant and grows in most soil types. Poisonous, not grazed.
How does it spread?
Birds, flooding, soil movement, and vegetation dumping. Very common in gardens.
What damage does it do?
Forms dense (occasionally pure) stands in forest understorey, preventing the establishment of native plant seedlings. Poisonous berries and rotting vegetation may affect native fauna.
Which habitats is it likely to invade?
Disturbed and open forest and margins, streamsides, and shrublands, especially in warmer areas.
What can I do to get rid of it?
Hard to distinguish from many native species (apart from foul smell), so best controlled when in flower. Wear gloves when handling.
1. Pull out small plants (all year round), leave on site to rot down.
2. Cut down and paint stump (all year round): a product containing 100g picloram+300g triclopyr/L (100ml/L) or triclopyr 600 EC (100ml/L) or triclopyr 120g/L (500ml/L).
3. Spray (spring-summer): triclopyr 600 EC (30ml/10L) or triclopyr 120g/L (15ml/L).
What can I do to stop it coming back?
Stems resprout and bared areas are reinfested by seed bank. Exclude stock at all times. Replant bared sites to minimise regrowth. Check for seedlings 6-monthly.
