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Cestrum nocturnum

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Asterids Order: Solanales Family: Solanaceae Genus: Cestrum

‘ala aumoe [ala aumoe], chinese inkberry, night blooming jasmine, night cestrum, night jessamine, night-blooming jasmine

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Shrubs or small trees 2–4 m tall; branches somewhat flexuous, sparsely pubescent with crisped, simple hairs and a few minute glandular hairs.

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades lanceolate–elliptic, often 10 cm long, 4 cm wide. Apex acuminate. Base rounded or broadly cuneate. Margins entire. Petioles 10–15 mm long. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in spicate, often congested racemes, forming terminal leafy panicles. Flowers bisexual (perfect), actinomorphic. Self-compatible. Calyx campanulate, ca. 2.5 mm long, upper ⅓ divided into triangular lobes. Corolla vespertine, strongly sweet–scented by night, greenish yellow, tubular, slender, slightly enlarged toward apex, 5 lobed. Stamens 5, inserted high in corolla tube; filaments with an erect process projecting below point of insertion, 3 mm long; anthers 0.5 mm long. Ovary superior, with an annular disk; style 1, 15–16 mm long; stigma shortly bifid, exceeding anthers.

Fruit: Berries white; hard or juicy; 8–10 mm in diameter. Seeds few; prismatic; outer face convex; inner faces concave; hilum scar elliptic; minutely reticulate.

Ploidy: 2n = 16

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Only found in cultivation
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Only found in cultivation
Lana'i Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean
Birds

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 191 (1753)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1254 (K, O); Oppenheimer & Bartlett 2000:8 (EM); Starr et al. 2003:32 (H); Staples & Herbst 2005:533 (KEY, DESCR); Oppenheimer 2007:31 (WM); Oppenheimer 2010:38 (L)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Cestrum nocturnum Honolulu, Nuuanu Ave Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 12803 Oahu BISH
2 Cestrum nocturnum Honolulu, Kalihi Valley, Bishop Estate Nursery Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. 114 Oahu BISH 1928-06-21
3 Cestrum nocturnum Manoa Cliffs Trail; Pahoa side Preserved_Specimen Pyle, L. Oahu BISH 1985-06-29
4 Cestrum nocturnum Moleka Trail, Makiki Valley Preserved_Specimen Ziegler, M.F. Oahu BISH 1987-05-28
5 Cestrum nocturnum Honolulu, Poki St Preserved_Specimen Rothwell, T. Oahu BISH 1932-01-09
6 Cestrum nocturnum Manoa Cliffs Trail. Pahoa side Preserved_Specimen Pyle, L. Oahu BISH 1985-06-29
7 Cestrum nocturnum Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Brigham, W.T. Oahu BISH
8 Cestrum nocturnum Northwest corner of Malama Ki Forest Reserve Puna District growing in a small clearing with-in a tall closed Metrosideros-Diospyros forest. Substrate A`a Preserved_Specimen An 8' high shrub, 1' basal diameter, and 10' spread, Clarke, G. 550 Hawaii BISH 1981-01-12
9 Cestrum nocturnum Makiki Valley Loop Trail Near rear of trail, very wet invasive forest Preserved_Specimen Abundant Faccenda, K. 2049 Oahu BISH 2021-07-14
10 Cestrum nocturnum East Maui, Makawao District, Aapueo, Kula 200 subdivision Volunteers growing in yard. Preserved_Specimen Shrub to 3 m tall; flowers greenish yellow, fragrant at night; fruits white. Oppenheimer, H.L. 99905 Maui BISH 1999-09-06
11 Cestrum nocturnum Honolulu, 1576 Glen Ave. Wahiawa red clay Preserved_Specimen shrub; whitish flowers fragrant at night Elia, H.V.K. 49 Oahu BISH 1971-04-12
12 Cestrum nocturnum Tantalus Loop Trail mixed rainforest. Metrosideros, Hedychium, Avocado, Pipturus albidus, Elaeocarpus. Preserved_Specimen shrub; white flower Lo, C. 697 Oahu BISH 1979-07-07
13 Cestrum nocturnum East Maui, Makawao District, Olinda, Lumahai Rd (off Olinda Rd), on side of rd Associated vegetation: Acacia mearnsii, Guava, Verbena litoralis. Preserved_Specimen Erect shrub 3-4m ht; lvs grn, alternate, ~12cm long & 3-4cm wide; flowers pale grn, tubular, ~2cm long, fragrant at night. Starr, F. 5021 Maui BISH 2000-05-02
14 Cestrum nocturnum Maunalei Gulch, Along gulch bottom where Waialala Gulch enters In Aleurites Forest. Preserved_Specimen Flowers pale greenish yellow, mildly fragrant during day but in dense shade. Oppenheimer, H.L. 50812 Lanai BISH 2008-05-29
15 Cestrum nocturnum West Maui, Wailuku District, 'Iao Valley, Nakalaloa Stream Common in understory and slong streams Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 91103 Maui BISH 2011-09-08
16 Cestrum nocturnum Waimea District, Kokee State Park. Trail west of Waipoo Falls parking area Degraded Acacia koa forest with Rubus, Psidium, Hedychium, Hedyotis, Coprosma, Scaevola, and Cyanea. Preserved_Specimen Large population of shrubs, much branched from base, 10-12 ft. tall; leaves glossy medium green above, dull paler below with glossy veins; flower buds pale yellow-green. Flynn, T.W. 6186 Kauai BISH 1997-06-25
17 Cestrum nocturnum Honolulu: Manoa cliffs trailside Preserved_Specimen 2m shrub, flowers very fragrant. Takeuchi, W.N. 52 Oahu BISH 1984-01-20
18 Cestrum nocturnum Northwest corner of Malama Ki Forest Reserve, Puna District Growing in a small clearing with in a tall closed Metrosideros - Diospyros forest. Substrate `a`a. Preserved_Specimen An 8' high shrub, 1 basal diameter, and 10' spread. Clarke, G. 550 Hawaii BISH 1981-01-12
19 Cestrum nocturnum East Maui, Makawao District, Papaanui, Puu Mahoe Naturalized in a wooded area. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 79943 Maui BISH 1999-07-11
20 Cestrum nocturnum Maunalei Gulch, Along gulch bottom where Waialala Gulch enters In Aleurites Forest. Preserved_Specimen Flowers pale greenish yellow, mildly fragrant during day but in dense shade. Oppenheimer, H.L. 50812 Lanai BISH 2008-05-29
21 Cestrum nocturnum Honolulu, Manoa Cliff Trail Wet mixed native and alien forest. Preserved_Specimen Trees 2-5 m ht, leaves lanceolate-elliptic, fruits white. Kennedy, B. 38 Oahu BISH 1996-01-13
22 Cestrum nocturnum W Maui, Wailuku District, Iao Valley, Ae Stream Along intermittent stream. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 2m tall; flowers yellowish green, closed and not fragrant by day. Oppenheimer, H.L. 70603 Maui BISH 2006-07-10
23 Cestrum nocturnum Koloa, Lawai Valley, S end of Lehelehe Rd., S of old pineapple cannery on Lauoho Rd., G. Davis, E bank of Lawai Stream, next to NTBG moist; evergreen, Inga, Syzygium cumini, Samanea saman, Aleurites moluccana Preserved_Specimen 2-3 m shrub; flower greenish white, not fragrant, 1 pm Lorence, D.H. 9073 Kauai BISH 2003-05-26
24 Cestrum nocturnum Maunalei Gulch open forest Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 30514 Lanai BISH 1963-08-17
25 Cestrum nocturnum Waimea District. Waimea Canyon State Park. Along Hwy 550 near mile 13.5 Roadside. Preserved_Specimen sprawling shrub; flowers +/- fragrant. Corolla tube pale green, lobes yellow-green with scarious margin. Flynn, T.W. 2309 Kauai BISH 1987-08-19
26 Cestrum nocturnum Lihue District. Puhi Camp just west of Kauai Community College homesites as camp was razed. Preserved_Specimen Shrub of 7 ft. Corolla pale green Flynn, T.W. 2007 Kauai BISH 1986-12-05
27 Cestrum nocturnum Kalalau Valley, N side and E of Keanapuka Falls matting fern ridge; Dicranopteris, Diplopterygium, Santalum freycinetianum, Kadua affinis, Coprosma waimeae, Metrosideros polymorpha, Dodonaea viscosa, Dianella sandwicensis, Pteridium decompositum, Scaevola procera, Xylosma hawaiiense, Psychotria mariniana, Ilex anomala, Bobea elatior, Pouteria sandwicensis, Syzygium sandwicensis Preserved_Specimen 3 m tree Wood, K.R. 12472 Kauai BISH 2007-07-30
28 Cestrum nocturnum East Maui, Polipoli Rd Really weedy, scurvy spot. Scattered in gulch. Associated vegetation: Rubus niveus, Jacaranda. Preserved_Specimen Small erect shrub up to 1-2m ht; lvs green, up to 8cm long; flowers sweet at night; fruit green, small, round. Starr, F. 8316 Maui BISH 2000-08-31
29 Cestrum nocturnum On side of Waiakea stream bed near UH-Hilo Associated vegetation: Melastoma candidum, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa. Preserved_Specimen Erect perennial shrub, ca. 3m ht; flowers greenish-yellow, not fragrant during day; leaves green; fruit a berry. Starr, F. 108015 Hawaii BISH 2001-08-01
30 Cestrum nocturnum Honolulu, Manoa Cliff Trail, where cliff trail begins to overlook Manoa Valley. Disturbed, wet forest. Vegetation: Citharexylum caudatum, Clidemia hirta, Psidium cattleianum, Sacciolepis indica, Setaria parviflora, Acacia koa sapling. Preserved_Specimen Tree 5-6 ft; flowers white. Kennedy, B. 67 Oahu BISH 2018-08-09
31 Cestrum nocturnum Kealia Forest Reserve along Makaleha Stream along bank overhanging stream. Preserved_Specimen Shrub of 6 ft. with drooping branches. Fruit white, fleshy. Flynn, T.W. 1339 Kauai BISH 1985-11-01
32 Cestrum nocturnum 1408 Manoa Rd., Dr. Shapiro's residence in front Preserved_Specimen shrub; 1.3 m. tall Egler, F.E. 37282 Oahu BISH 1937-08-16
33 Cestrum nocturnum U.H.Campus, Courtyard of St. John Hall Preserved_Specimen Shrub 2 m tall with long arching major brances. Flowers cream; no fragrance (late morning). Mature fruit white. Lau, J. 1277 Oahu BISH 1985-07-29
34 Cestrum nocturnum Hawaii National Park, Kilauea, Park residence area Preserved_Specimen Slender shrub 12 ft. high; berries white Fagerlund, G.O. 117 Hawaii BISH 1942-11-02
35 Cestrum nocturnum U.H.Campus, Courtyard of St. John Hall Preserved_Specimen Shrub 2 m tall with long arching major brances. Flowers cream; no fragrance (late morning). Mature fruit white. Lau, J. 1277 Oahu BISH 1985-07-29
36 Cestrum nocturnum U.H. Campus, Courtyard of St. John Hall Preserved_Specimen Shrub 2 m tall with long arching major branches; flowers cream; no fragrance (late morning); mature fruit white Lau, A. 1277 Oahu BISH 1985-07-29
37 Cestrum nocturnum Kilauea, residence #1 Preserved_Specimen Shrub 7' tall; flowers yellow-green, tubular, fragrant Fagerlund, G.O. 702 Hawaii BISH 1943-08-01
38 Cestrum nocturnum 7 mi SW of State Route 11 on Mamaki Road to Kulani Prison. Waiakea Forest Reserve Preserved_Specimen Shrub 2 m tall; corollas pale yellow-green. Miller, J.S. 7949 Hawaii BISH 1992-08-06
39 Cestrum nocturnum Wailau Valley. Preserved_Specimen Fragrant at night greenish flowers; shrubs to 3m tall. Cultivated, but will likely spread. Oppenheimer, H.L. 100908 Molokai BISH 2009-10-11
40 Cestrum nocturnum Lanai Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. Lanai BISH
41 Cestrum nocturnum Honokane Nui Gulch Preserved_Specimen Tall shrub 3-4 m; lvs glossy bright green; flrs white, throat yellowish, somewhat compressed. Giffin, J. Hawaii BISH 1992-08-06
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