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Cestrum diurnum

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Cestrum diurnum Linn.

Family Name: Solanaceae
Common Name: Day Jessamine, Day Cestrum, China Inkberry

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form Shrub
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Maximum Height 2 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Southern America
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Local Conservation Status Non-native

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Small-sized woody shrub, able to grow up to 1 - 2 m tall.
Foliage Dark green and glossy leaves, alternate arrangement, measuring about 10 - 12 cm long.
Flowers Small white flowers in an inflorescence, corolla tube measuring about 1.8 cm long, tiny petals are recurved.
Fruit Fruits are small berry-liked which ripen from violet to blue black. Each fruit contains 4-10 seeds which are dispersed by birds.
Etymology Species diurnum means flowering lasting for one day.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Flowers) (Day)
Landscape Uses Flowerbed / Border, Parks & Gardens, Coastal, Hedge / Screening
Usage Hazard - Cons Weak Branches, Toxic Upon Ingestion, Invasive / Potentially Invasive

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Bird-Attracting
Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna) (Vertebrates (Bird))

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Fast
Rootzone Tolerance Saline Soils / Salt Spray, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Oblong)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) White
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Individual Flower Shape Funnelform / Funnel-shaped
Flowering Period Free-Flowering

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Blue
Fruit Type Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit
Seed Quantity Per Fruit Moderate (6-10)

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 505
Species ID 1801
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 12 November 2024.
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