GREEN CESTRUM Cestrum parqui

LANDHOLDERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTROLLING THIS WEED

Description Large evergreen shrub, 3–4 m high, forming clumps and producing suckers.

Leaves Alternate, narrow, lance-shaped, 2–7 cm long and 1–5 cm wide. Shiny grey-green on the upper side, paler on the underside. Foul-smelling when crushed.

Flowers Yellow or greenish, trumpet-shaped, 5–7 small triangular petals, 2–2.5 cm long.

Fruit Clusters of shiny, green or black, egg-shaped berries, 0.7–1.5 cm long.

Stems Young branches are whitish, and older branches are woody and light green.

Dispersal Seed dispersed by birds and animals eating and excreting the seed, waterways, dumped garden waste. Short distance dispersal via suckering.

Confused with Weed species Lady-of-the-night (Cestrum nocturnum), Red cestrum (C. elegans) and Orange cestrum (C. aurantiacum).

Control This is not a reportable weed. Manually remove where appropriate. Cut and paint, cut scrape paint or foliar spray with herbicide.

FOLIAGE