Cestrum
(from kestron, an ancient Greek name). ORD. Solanaceoe. Including Habrothamnus. An extensive genus of stove, greenhouse, or half-hardy shrubs. Flowers cymose or fascicled; cymes corymbose or panicled; corolla with an elongated tube, widening gradually to the top; limb five-parted, sub-plicate, spreading or revolute, regular, conduplicate in aestivation. Leaves alternate, entire. This very ornamental genus of shrubs are useful subjects either as pot plants or as climbers; but plenty of pot room is, under all circumstances, necessary. A free and moderately rich soil is most suitable. Propagated by cuttings, in August, the same being potted off as frequently as the roots reach the sides of the pots. They should be pinched back early in January, to cause a bushy growth; the following season, they do better, as a rule, if potted and grown on in frames or out of doors. Where Cestrums are intended to be grown as wall-subjects, they should be planted out in the greenhouse or conservatory borders, and receive liberal treatment. They generally do well in a house where a temperature of about 40deg. or 45deg. is maintained during winter.
C. alaternoides (Alaternus-like). fl. white, disposed in nearly sessile racemes. July to August. l. alternate, ovate, undulated, coriaceous, shining. h. 3ft. Trinidad, 1840. A stove evergreen shrub. (B. M. 2929.) C. aurantiacum (orange).* fl. orange, sessile, spicate, panicled. August. l. oval, undulated. h. 4ft. Guatemala, 1843. An excellent cool-house evergreen shrub. (B. R. 1845, 22.) C. corymbosum (corymbose). fl. red; corymbs terminal, forming a dense leafy panicle. May to June. l. ovate-lanceolate, entire. h. 5ft. Mexico, 1843. A handsome greenhouse evergreen shrub. SYN. Habrothamnus corymbosus. (B. M. 4201.) C. elegans (elegant).* fl. purplish-red, numerously produced, in dense terminal cymes; petals ciliated. Summer. l. ovate-lanceolate. Branches and under sides of leaves downy. Mexico, 1844. A well-known greenhouse or half-hardy evergreen, with a climbing habit. SYN. Habrothamnus elegans. (B. R. 1844, 43.) The variety named argentea is one of the best climbers, having variegated leaves, the surface of which is creamy white, faintly tinged with rose, and relieved by irregular blotches of light green. C. fasciculatum (fascicled).* fl. purplish-red, terminal, cymosely capitate, involucrated; corolla urceolate, with ciliated segments. Early spring. l. ovate, entire. Plant downy. h. 5ft. Mexico, 1843. A greenhouse evergreen shrub. SYN. Habrothamnus fasciculatus. (B. M. 4183 and 5659.) C. Newelli (Newell's).* fl. bright crimson, large, produced in dense terminal clusters. l. neat, smooth. h. 6ft. This is described as a very ornamental greenhouse plant, of free growth. SYN. Habrothamnus Newelli. C. Parqui (Parqui). fl. whitish-yellow, disposed in panicles, very fragrant at night. June and July. l. lanceolate, 3in. to 5in. long, attenuated at both ends, sub-undulated. h. 7ft. Chili,1787. This evergreen shrub will succeed in the open air if accorded the protection of a wall, and sheltered during winter. (B. M. 1770.) C. roseum (rose). * fl. rose-coloured, sessile, capitate, involucrate; peduncles terminal and axillary, three to six-flowered, July. l. oblong, bluntish, downy. h. 4ft. Mexico, 1850. Greenhouse evergreen shrub. SYN. Habrothamnus roseus.