Citation: L'Hér., Stirp. Nov. fasc.4:73, t. 36 (1788).

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: Green poison-berry, Chilean (or green) cestrum.

Description:
Woody shrub to 2-3 m tall, suckering; minutely pubescent with simple and short glandular hairs on new shoots, glabrescent, hairs more abundant on corolla lobes; leaves alternate, 3.5-5 cm, lanceolate, entire, apex acute to acuminate, base tapering to the petiole, malodorous; petiole c. 1 cm long.

Inflorescence a congested terminal panicle of numerous flowers, lower flowers may have linear bracts; pedicel c. 0.5 mm long; calyx c. 5 mm long, tubular, the lobes c. 1 mm long, triangular; corolla tube c. 16 mm long, cylindrical, slightly expanded upwards, lobes c. 5 mm long, broadly triangular, margins inrolled by day, greenish-yellow, sweet-scented, expanding in the evening; filaments c. 7 mm long, subequal, swollen and retrorsely pubescent in the lower part; anthers c. 1 mm long, included; ovary c. 1 mm diam., globular on a small annular disk; style 17-18 mm long, slender; stigma capitate.

Berry 1-1.5 cm long, oval-ovoid, shining, succulent, black; seeds 3.5-4 mm long, prismatic, dark-brown, c. 10 per berry.

	Cestrum parqui.
Image source: fig. 560 in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).

Published illustration: Parsons (1973) Noxious weeds of Victoria, p. 252.

Distribution:  Native to South America now widely cultivated and naturalised. S.Aust.: NL, MU, SL, KI, SE.   Qld; N.S.W.; Vic. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Oct. — May.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: C. parqui is toxic to cattle, horses, poultry and sheep. It is cultivated as a shrub and is spontaneous in suburban gardens and is naturalised.

Author: Not yet available