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

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

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.

Lower Taxa

None.