CSIR-NEERI Biodiversity Portal

Night-Blooming Jasmine

Cestrum nocturnum L.

Botanical name	: Cestrum nocturnum L..
Common Name	: Raat-ni-Rani, Night-blooming Jasmine
Family	: Solanaceae
Synonym	: Cestrum graciliflorum Dunal
About	: A small shrub, that grows from 1 to 5 m tall Leaves are ovate-oblong, acute, glabrous mostly 7 - 20 cm long. Inflorescence cymose racemes which are longer than the petiole and flowers are greenish-white or pale greenish-yellow that emit a strong sweet fragrance at night. Flowers are individual supported by a bract. Calyx is small, bell-shaped. Corolla is salver shaped or tubular, yellowish-green, very sweet-smelling at night, lobes 5, and margins incurved. Stamen 5, filaments with linear appendages at the base. Style slender. Fruits are berry white, ovoid, about 8-10 mm long, with 1 - 3 seeds capable of being dispersed by birds. Flowering and fruiting time is from July to November. Cultivated in the gardens for its small, greenish flowers which are very sweet scented at night. Grown in subtropical regions as an ornamental plant. The species is native to the West Indies, but naturalized in South asia. Having bird-dispersed seeds and the ability to reproduce vegetatively.