Cestrum diurnum
Sp. Pl. 1: 191. 1753.
Shrubs, 0.5–4 m; stems densely to sparsely pubescent, glabrescent; axillary branches usually subtended by minor leaf. Leaves: petiole 5–24 mm; blade elliptic, oblong, ovate, oblong-ovate, or obovate, 2.5–12 × 0.6–3.6 cm. Inflorescences 1–3 per axil, each cluster 3–11-flowered. Flowers: calyx 3–4 × 1.7–2.3 mm, lobes 5, erect, 0.5–0.8 mm; corolla pale yellow or white, 11–16 mm, lobes 1.7–2.3 mm. Berries purple to black, 6–11 × 4.5–9 mm. 2n = 16.
Phenology: Flowering late spring–mid-summer.
Habitat: Secondary scrub, forest edges, roadsides.
Elevation: 0–10 m.
Distribution
Introduced; Fla., Mexico (Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Yucatán), West Indies (Cuba), Central America (Guatemala).
Discussion
Cestrum diurnum has been introduced as an ornamental shrub into most of tropical and subtropical America, and is considered to be an environmental weed (R. P. Randall 2012). It is listed as invasive or potentially invasive in Florida.
Selected References
None.