Warning

Seek urgent medical attention for all ingestions.

Description

An ornamental evergreen shrub to 4m tall.

The flowers are tubular, greenish-white to cream coloured, about 2.5cm long, and are clustered in the axil of leaves. The flowers are very fragrant at night.

The leaves are shiny, 10-20cm long and about 3cm wide, and have an unpleasant odour when crushed.

Toxicity

  • Potentially toxic

  • Respiratory irritant

Symptoms

All parts of the plant are toxic, especially the fruit, and can cause elevated temperature, rapid pulse, excess salivation and gastritis. The nocturnal fragrance can cause difficulty in breathing, irritation of the nose and throat, sneezing, intense headache, nausea and dizziness. Respiratory symptoms have also been reported from close proximity to the flowers.

Images

Night blooming jessamine shrub
Photo by Rob Price
Night blooming jessamine flowers
Photo by Rob Price

Details

Common name: Night blooming jessamine

Botanical nameCestrum nocturnum

Other common names: Lady of the Night

Family: Solanaceae

General description: An ornamental evergreen shrub to 4m tall.

Flowers: The flowers are tubular, greenish-white to cream coloured, about 2.5cm long, and are clustered in the axil of leaves. The flowers are very fragrant at night.

Leaves: The leaves are shiny, 10-20cm long and about 3cm wide, and have an unpleasant odour when crushed.

Fruit/Berries: The fruit are globular berries, green when immature, and black when ripe.

Other: The sap is clear.