230 Species of Genus Cestrum

The Enchanting World of Cestrum: A Gardener’s Perspective

My name is Ferb Vu, and I’ve always been drawn to the captivating allure of the plant world. Among the myriad of genera that grace our planet, there’s one that holds a special place in my heart: Cestrum. This diverse genus, belonging to the Solanaceae family, boasts a captivating array of flowering shrubs that have enchanted gardeners and botanists alike for centuries.

A Tapestry of Colors and Fragrances

Cestrum, also known as jessamine due to its fragrant flowers, encompasses roughly 230 species. These evergreen shrubs are native to the warm temperate and tropical regions of the Americas, stretching from the southernmost United States down to central Chile. They are renowned for their vibrant, tubular flowers, which bloom in clusters and exude an intoxicating fragrance, especially in the evenings.

The genus showcases a rich tapestry of colors, with blossoms ranging from pure white and delicate yellows to fiery reds and deep purples:

1. Cestrum abeggii Urb. & Ekman
2. Cestrum aberrans J.F.Macbr.
3. Cestrum acuminatum Francey
4. Cestrum acutifolium Alain
5. Cestrum affine Kunth
6. Cestrum alternifolium (L.) O.E.Schulz
7. Cestrum amistadense A.K.Monro
8. Cestrum anagyris Dunal
9. Cestrum angulosum Urb.
10. Cestrum aurantiacum Lindl.
11. Cestrum auriculatum L’Hér.
12. Cestrum azuense Urb. & Ekman
13. Cestrum bahamense Britton
14. Cestrum benthamii Miers
15. Cestrum bicolor Urb.
16. Cestrum bigibbosum Pittier
17. Cestrum bracteatum Link & Otto
18. Cestrum brevifolium Urb.
19. Cestrum brunneopurpureum Francey
20. Cestrum buxifolium Kunth
21. Cestrum buxoides Ekman ex Urb.
22. Cestrum cahosianum Urb. & Ekman
23. Cestrum capsulare Carvalho & A.Schnoor
24. Cestrum chiangii Mont.-Castro
25. Cestrum chiapense Brandegee
26. Cestrum chimborazinum Francey
27. Cestrum chiriquianum Francey
28. Cestrum citrifolium Retz.
29. Cestrum cobanense Francey
30. Cestrum coelophlebium O.E.Schulz
31. Cestrum colombianum Francey
32. Cestrum commune C.V.Morton ex Mont.-Castro
33. Cestrum confertifolium Francey
34. Cestrum conglomeratum Ruiz & Pav.
35. Cestrum contrerasianum A.K.Monro
36. Cestrum corcovadense Miers
37. Cestrum cordatum Schott ex Sendt.
38. Cestrum coriaceum Miers
39. Cestrum corymbosum Schltdl.
40. Cestrum cristinae D.A.Soto
41. Cestrum cuneifolium Francey
42. Cestrum cuspidatissimum Francey
43. Cestrum cuspidatum Sendtn.
44. Cestrum daphnoides Griseb.
45. Cestrum darcyanum C.Benítez de Rojas & Sawyer
46. Cestrum darienense A.K.Monro
47. Cestrum dasyanthum Donn.Sm.
48. Cestrum decurrens Francey
49. Cestrum diurnum L.
50. Cestrum domingense O.E.Schulz
51. Cestrum dumetorum Schltdl.
52. Cestrum dunalii Francey
53. Cestrum ecuadorense Francey
54. Cestrum ehrenbergii Schltdl. ex Dunal
55. Cestrum ekmanii Urb. & O.E.Schulz
56. Cestrum elegans (Brongn. ex Neumann) Schltdl.
57. Cestrum elegantissimum C.V.Morton
58. Cestrum endlicheri Miers
59. Cestrum endresii Francey
60. Cestrum eriochiton Sendtn.
61. Cestrum euanthes Schltdl.
62. Cestrum evanidum C.V.Morton
63. Cestrum falcatum Francey
64. Cestrum farinosum Urb. & Ekman
65. Cestrum fasciculatum (Schltdl.) Miers
66. Cestrum ferrugineum A.Rich.
67. Cestrum filipes Urb. & Ekman
68. Cestrum flavescens Greenm.
69. Cestrum flavinervium Francey
70. Cestrum formosum C.V.Morton
71. Cestrum forsythii Dunal
72. Cestrum fragile Francey
73. Cestrum franceyi C.V.Morton
74. Cestrum fraternum C.V.Morton
75. Cestrum fulvescens Fernald
76. Cestrum galeottianum Francey
77. Cestrum gardneri Sendtn.
78. Cestrum gilliae A.K.Monro
79. Cestrum glabrescens (C.V.Morton) Steyerm. & Maguire
80. Cestrum glabrum Francey
81. Cestrum glanduliferum Kerber ex Francey
82. Cestrum glaucophyllum Francey
83. Cestrum glomeratum Schott ex Sendt.
84. Cestrum gracile Francey
85. Cestrum granadense Francey
86. Cestrum grandifolium Francey
87. Cestrum guaraniticum Chodat & Hassl.
88. Cestrum guatemalense Francey
89. Cestrum hartwegii Dunal
90. Cestrum hassleri Francey
91. Cestrum heterophyllum Urb.
92. Cestrum hirtellum Schltdl.
93. Cestrum hirtum Sw.
94. Cestrum hotteanum Urb. & Ekman
95. Cestrum humboldtii Francey
96. Cestrum humile Urb. & Ekman
97. Cestrum imbricatum Rusby
98. Cestrum inclusum Urb.
99. Cestrum intermedium Sendtn.
100. Cestrum irazuense Kuntze
101. Cestrum jacaltenanginum Loes.
102. Cestrum jaramillanum Benítez & D’Arcy
103. Cestrum jimenezii Alain
104. Cestrum johnniegentryanum D’Arcy
105. Cestrum killipii Francey
106. Cestrum knappiae A.K.Monro
107. Cestrum kunthii Francey
108. Cestrum laevifolium Francey
109. Cestrum laevigatum Schltdl.
110. Cestrum lanceolatum Miers
111. Cestrum langeanum D’Arcy
112. Cestrum latifolium Lam.
113. Cestrum laxum Benth.
114. Cestrum lehmannii Francey
115. Cestrum lentii A.K.Monro
116. Cestrum lindenii Dunal
117. Cestrum linearifolium Urb.
118. Cestrum longiflorum Ruiz & Pav.
119. Cestrum lozadae Cruz Durán & S.Valencia
120. Cestrum lucidum Francey
121. Cestrum luteovirescens Francey
122. Cestrum macbridei Francey
123. Cestrum macrophyllum Vent.
124. Cestrum magnifolium Francey
125. Cestrum mancoi J.F.Macbr.
126. Cestrum mariquitense Kunth
127. Cestrum marmoratum Urb. & Ekman
128. Cestrum martii Sendtn.
129. Cestrum megalophyllum Dunal
130. Cestrum memorabile Witasek
131. Cestrum mexicanum Francey
132. Cestrum micans Francey
133. Cestrum microcalyx Francey
134. Cestrum milciomejiae Zanoni
135. Cestrum miradorense Francey
136. Cestrum moaense Borhidi & O.Muñiz
137. Cestrum mononeurum Urb. & Ekman
138. Cestrum moquinianum Dunal
139. Cestrum morae Hunz.
140. Cestrum morretense Toledo ex Handro
141. Cestrum mortonianum J.L.Gentry
142. Cestrum mositicum Toledo
143. Cestrum mutisii Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.
144. Cestrum neblinense D’Arcy
145. Cestrum neibensis Alain
146. Cestrum nemanthum Dunal
147. Cestrum nitidum M.Martens & Galeotti
148. Cestrum nocturnum L.
149. Cestrum oblongifolium Schltdl.
150. Cestrum obovatum Sendtn.
151. Cestrum obscurum Francey
152. Cestrum ochraceum Francey
153. Cestrum olivaceum Francey
154. Cestrum osnoense J.F.Macbr.
155. Cestrum ovale (Sendtn.) Francey
156. Cestrum ovalifolium Francey
157. Cestrum ovatolanceolatum Francey
158. Cestrum pacificum Brandegee
159. Cestrum pallidissimum Francey
160. Cestrum palmeri Francey
161. Cestrum pariense Steyerm.
162. Cestrum parqui (Lam.) L’Hér.
163. Cestrum pauciflorum Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.
164. Cestrum pedicellatum Sendtn.
165. Cestrum pennellii Francey
166. Cestrum petiolare Kunth
167. Cestrum pinetorum Britton
168. Cestrum pitonianum Urb. & Ekman
169. Cestrum poasanum Donn.Sm.
170. Cestrum polyanthum Sendtn.
171. Cestrum porphyreum Dunal
172. Cestrum potaliifolium Dunal
173. Cestrum pseudopedicellatum Francey
174. Cestrum psittacinum Stapf
175. Cestrum psychotrifolium Schltdl.
176. Cestrum pulverulentum Francey
177. Cestrum quitense Francey
178. Cestrum racemosum Ruiz & Pav.
179. Cestrum raimondianum Francey
180. Cestrum ramulosum Francey
181. Cestrum reflexum Sendtn.
182. Cestrum reticulatum Francey
183. Cestrum retrofractum Dunal
184. Cestrum rigidifolium Francey
185. Cestrum rigidum Rusby
186. Cestrum roseum Kunth
187. Cestrum rugulosum Francey
188. Cestrum ruizteranianum Benítez & D’Arcy
189. Cestrum salicifolium Jacq.
190. Cestrum salzmannii Dunal
191. Cestrum santanderianum Francey
192. Cestrum scandens Vahl
193. Cestrum schiedei Francey
194. Cestrum schlechtendalii G.Don
195. Cestrum schulzianum Francey
196. Cestrum sessiliflorum Schott ex Sendt.
197. Cestrum skutchii C.V.Morton
198. Cestrum sotonunezii Mont.-Castro
199. Cestrum sparsiflorum Britton ex Rusby
200. Cestrum sphaerocarpum O.E.Schulz
201. Cestrum sprucei Francey
202. Cestrum strictum Schott ex Sendt.
203. Cestrum strigilatum Ruiz & Pav.
204. Cestrum stuebelii Hieron. ex Francey
205. Cestrum subcordatum Francey
206. Cestrum subpulverulentum Mart.
207. Cestrum subumbellatum Vig.-Silva & M.Nee
208. Cestrum subuniflorum Dunal
209. Cestrum taylorii Britton & P.Wilson
210. Cestrum tenuifolium Francey
211. Cestrum thyrsoideum Kunth
212. Cestrum tillettii Benítez & D’Arcy
213. Cestrum toledii Carvalho & A.Schnoor
214. Cestrum tomentosum L.f.
215. Cestrum tubulosum Sendtn.
216. Cestrum tuerckheimii O.E.Schulz
217. Cestrum turquinense Urb.
218. Cestrum uhdei Dammer ex Francey
219. Cestrum undulatum Ruiz & Pav.
220. Cestrum validum Francey
221. Cestrum velutinum Hiern
222. Cestrum vestitum Hook.
223. Cestrum viminale Sendtn.
224. Cestrum violaceum Urb.
225. Cestrum virgaurea Urb. & Ekman
226. Cestrum viride Moric. ex Dunal
227. Cestrum viridifolium Francey
228. Cestrum weberbaueri Francey
229. Cestrum yucatanense Francey
230. Cestrum zarucchianum D’Arcy, Brako & Zarucchi

Cultivating Cestrum: A Rewarding Endeavor

Cultivating Cestrum is a relatively straightforward endeavor, making it a popular choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. These resilient shrubs thrive in well-drained soil and prefer a sunny location, although they can tolerate some shade. Regular watering is essential, especially during dry spells, and a balanced fertilizer can promote healthy growth and abundant blooms.

While Cestrum is generally low-maintenance, it’s important to be aware of its potential toxicity. All parts of the plant contain solanine, a toxic alkaloid that can cause gastrointestinal distress and other symptoms if ingested. Therefore, it’s crucial to keep these plants out of reach of children and pets.

The Allure of Cestrum: Beyond its Beauty

Beyond its ornamental value, Cestrum has also played a role in traditional medicine and cultural practices. Some species have been used to treat various ailments, while others have been incorporated into religious ceremonies and folklore. However, it’s important to note that the medicinal use of Cestrum should be approached with caution due to its toxicity.

In the realm of gardening, Cestrum continues to captivate with its diverse range of colors, intoxicating fragrances, and ease of cultivation. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, adding a Cestrum to your collection is sure to enhance your garden with its beauty and charm.

As I continue to explore the fascinating world of Cestrum, I’m constantly amazed by its versatility and resilience. From the nocturnal magic of Cestrum nocturnum to the vibrant hues of Cestrum elegans, each species offers a unique charm that adds to the allure of this captivating genus. As a gardener, I find immense satisfaction in nurturing these plants and witnessing their exquisite blooms, a testament to the wonders of the natural world.