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Night Jessamine Wikimedia Commons
Solanaceae

Night Jessamine

Cestrum nocturnum

Nocturnal allure and hidden desire.

Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Cestrum
Native to
West Indies, Central America
Bloom season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Type
evergreen shrub
Height
6-13 ft
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
moist, well-drained
Water
moderate
Hardiness
9-11
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • Its powerful nocturnal fragrance can be detected from up to 500 feet away on a still night.
  • Despite its sweet scent, all parts of the plant are toxic to humans, pets, and livestock.
  • It belongs to the nightshade family alongside tomatoes, potatoes, and deadly nightshade.
  • In tropical regions it can bloom up to five times per year in successive flushes.
  • The berries turn white when ripe and are eagerly eaten by birds, which spread the seeds widely.

Color meanings

0

dangerous love

1

mystery

2

nighttime enchantment

Uses

  • fragrance gardens
  • ornamental hedging
  • night gardens
  • essential oil extraction