Red cestrum is a hairy shrub with small red tubular flowers. All parts of the plant are poisonous to people and animals.
Red cestrum forms dense thickets. It:
Green cestrum (Cestrum parqui) and Lady of the night (Cestrum nocturnum) are also poisonous cestrum weeds. For information about these weeds use the WeedWise search functions.
Human poisoning
All parts of the plant are toxic, especially the berries. Avoid touching the plant with bare skin and if the plant is accidentally touched wash the skin thoroughly.
What to do if a person is poisoned:
Animal poisoning
Red cestrum contains alkaloids that are poisonous and can cause animal deaths. Plants are poisonous to livestock including cattle and horses.
Remove livestock from paddocks when controlling red cestrum. Do not return livestock until plants have disintegrated or been removed.
Red cestrum is a perennial shrub up to 5 m tall. It can be either single or multi-stemmed at the base. Most parts of the plant are covered with fine purple hairs.
Red cestrum looks similar to early flowering jessamine (Cestrum fasciculatum), which has larger flowers. There are also hybrids of red cestrum and early flowering jessamine.
In NSW, red cestrum has been found in:
Red cestrum is native to southern Mexico.
Red cestrum can grow in a wide range of climate and soil conditions. It is drought tolerant and grows in shade and full sun. It has been found growing along rainforest edges, in wet sclerophyll forests, along waterways and in paddocks.
Red cestrum has been planted in gardens as an ornamental plant.
Red cestrum can start producing seeds when it is less than a year old. Each plant can produce up to 1500 seeds per year and the seeds can remain viable for up to 8 years. Birds eat the fruit and spread the seed in their droppings. If plants are on the edge of waterways the seeds spread downstream. Seeds could also be spread in contaminated soil or mud.
Red cestrum can grow from stem and root fragments which can be spread by garden dumping. The plants sucker readily, which quickly increases the size of the infestations.
Colorado State University (2021). Guide to poisonous plants. Retrieved 23 November 2021 from: https://csuvth.colostate.edu/poisonous_plants/Plants/Details/121.
Identic and Lucid (2016). Weeds of Australia: Cestrum elegans (Brongn. ex Neumann) Schltdl. Retrieved 23 November 2021 from:https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/cestrum_elegans.htm#Naturalised%20Distribution
Muyt, A. (2001). Bush invaders of South-East Australia: a guide to the identification and control of environmental weeds found in South-East Australia. RG and FJ Richardson.
NZ Weedbusters (2021) Weed information sheet: Red cestrum. Retrieved 23 November 2021 from: https://www.weedbusters.org.nz/what-are-weeds/weed-list/red-cestrum/
PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Retrieved 22/11/2021 from https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Cestrum~elegans
Stewart-Howie, M. (2003). Environmental weed treatment in Melbourne's water catchment. Plant Protection Quarterly, 18(2), 70-71.
VicFlora (2016). Flora of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Retrieved 23 November 2021 from: https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/flora/taxon/b390b014-45ca-49e7-a291-ef43948b2b2d
Successful weed control relies on follow up after the initial efforts. This means looking for and killing regrowth or new seedlings. Using a combination of control methods is usually more successful.
Wear gloves and other personal protective clothing when controlling red cestrum to prevent coming into contact with the plant.
To manage red cestrum:
Seedlings can be pulled or dug out when small. Larger plants are difficult to remove due to their extensive roots and because it is difficult to limit contact with the larger plants. Dispose of plants carefully as stems can reshoot if left touching the soil.
Contact your local council for advice on how to dispose of this poisonous plant.
Spray actively growing plants and ensure that all the foliage is covered with the herbicide. Keep stock away from dead plant material as it remains poisonous.
Cut the stem and apply herbicide within 15 seconds of cutting. Dispose of the cut part of the plant carefully as stems can reshoot if left touching the soil.
See Using herbicides for more information.
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: Up to 1:50 herbicide to water.
Comments: Spot spray. See permit for additional conditions.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 1:1.5 with water to undiluted herbicide.
Comments: Cut, scrape and paint. See permit for additional conditions.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
Resistance risk: Moderate
Picloram 100 g/L + Triclopyr 300 g/L + Aminopyralid 8 g/L
(Grazon Extra®)
Rate: 500 mL per 100 L of water
Comments: Apply from late spring to early autumn. Any regrowth and seedlings should be resprayed when 1 m high. Follow the label instructions for green cestrum.
Withholding period: Where product is used to control woody weeds in pastures there is a restriction of 12 weeks for use of treated pastures for making hay and silage; using hay or other plant material for compost, mulch or mushroom substrate; or using animal waste from animals grazing on treated pastures for compost, mulching, or spreading on pasture/crops.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Picloram 44.7 g/L + Aminopyralid 4.47 g/L
(Vigilant II ®)
Rate: Undiluted
Comments: Cut stump application. Apply a 3–5 mm layer of gel for stems less than 20 mm. Apply 5 mm layer on stems above 20 mm .
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate
The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.
Area | Duty |
---|---|
All of NSW | General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable. |
North Coast |
Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Eradication)
Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant. Notify local control authority if found. |
Northern Tablelands |
Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Prevention)
Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant. Notify local control authority if found. |
*To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here |
Reviewed 2023