TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993)	previous taxon | next taxon Jepson Interchange (more information)
	©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California

SOLANACEAE

NIGHTSHADE FAMILY

Michael Nee

Annual to shrub
Leaves generally simple, generally alternate, generally petioled; stipules 0; blade entire to deeply lobed
Inflorescence various
Flower bisexual; calyx lobes generally 5; corolla ± radial, cylindric to rotate, lobes generally 5; stamens 5, alternate corolla lobes; ovary superior, generally 2-chambered, style 1
Fruit: berry or capsule, 2–5-chambered
Genera in family: 75 genera, 3000 species: worldwide, especially ± tropical; many alien weeds in CA; many cultivated for food, drugs, or ornamental (potato, tomato, peppers, tobacco, petunia); many TOXIC.

CESTRUM

Shrub; hairs simple or branched
Leaf entire, glabrous to hairy
Inflorescence: panicle
Flower: corolla ± salverform; stamens included, filaments sometimes unequal
Fruit: berry, sometimes ± dry
Species in genus: 250 species: tropical Am
Etymology: (Greek: derivation unknown)

Introduced

C. fasciculatum (Schldl.) Miers

Shrub < 3 m; hairs soft, ± dense, especially on axes
Stem often purple
Leaf 4–13 cm, ± ovate, acuminate
Inflorescence < 10 cm, ± head-like, ± dense, 5–10-flowered
Flower: calyx 8–9 mm; corolla 15–25 mm, purplish red, lobes 2–2.5 mm
Fruit 15 mm, red, white-spongy inside
Seeds ± 10, 2.5–4 mm, dark brown
Ecology: Disturbed areas
Elevation: < 1000 m.
Bioregional distribution: n North Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, expected elsewhere
Distribution outside California: native to Mexico
Other species (especially C. aurantiacum Lindl. with yellow-orange flowers) widely cultivated, may become naturalized.