Cestrum parqui
Chilean jessamine
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Family: Solanaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Cestrum parqui (Chilean jessamine) is a non-native California shrub / tree in the Solanaceae family, recognized by flower color, smooth stems, and narrow leaves.
Chilean jessamine is a naturalized shrub found in the San Francisco Bay Area in disturbed areas at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from July to December, this plant produces yellow-white flowers in open clusters 4 to 6 centimeters long with delicate 3 to 4 millimeter lobes. Growing 1 to 3 meters tall with glabrous stems, it develops an open, upright form with sparse minute hairs. Its lanceolate leaves are 6 to 11 centimeters long, tapering to a sharp point at the tip. The fruit matures to a dark purple-black color, containing approximately 10 dark brown to black seeds about 3 to 4 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key features are flower color, smooth stems, and narrow leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: < 1000 m
Outside California: southeastern United States, native to South America
Bloom period
Cestrum parqui blooms Jul-Dec.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Nicotiana: Cestrum is a woody shrub; Nicotiana is typically herbaceous.; vs Lonicera: Cestrum has nightshade-family flowers with 5 stamens; Lonicera honeysuckles have irregular tubular flowers with protruding stamens.; vs Iochroma: Cestrum has narrow funnel flowers; Iochroma has wider tubular flowers in hanging clusters.; vs Fuchsia: Cestrum has funnel nightshade flowers; Fuchsia has distinctive hanging flowers with separated petals and long stamens.; vs Salpichroa: Cestrum is an erect shrub; Salpichroa is a trailing or climbing vine.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cestrum parqui native to California?
No. Cestrum parqui is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Cestrum parqui bloom?
Cestrum parqui blooms Jul-Dec.
What plant family does Cestrum parqui belong to?
Cestrum parqui is in the Solanaceae family, genus Cestrum.
Is Cestrum parqui invasive in California?
Cestrum parqui is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
What habitat does Cestrum parqui grow in?
Cestrum parqui grows in Disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.