Cestrum (PDF, 138kb) - Cardinia Shire Council

Cestrum
Botanical name: Cestrum elegans
Common names: Cestrum, elegant poison-berry
Origin: Mexico
Environmental
impact
Cestrum is a common
garden ornamental that is
highly invasive in moist
habitats such as
creekbanks and wetland
areas, and forms extensive
stands preventing growth
and regeneration of
indigenous plants.
Cestrum grows during the
warmer months with
plants becoming
semi-deciduous and
virtually dormant over
winter. Cestrum flowers
and seeds after 2–3 years,
with seed remaining
viable in the soil for at
least five years.
Environmental Weed Fact Sheet 18
How it
spreads
Cestrum is spread mainly
via seed dispersal and
root material suckering.
Seeds are dispersed via
the excretion of birds
who eat the fruit, and
also via water. Cestrum
can also spread as a
result of root material being
dislodged via machinery,
floods or contaminated soil,
and establishing in
new areas.
How to
identify
• Tree to 2–3m with
alternate leaves 7–14cm
long, 2–4cm wide, tapering
at ends, upper surface dark
green, and underside lighter,
prominent mid-vein,
unpleasant odour
when crushed.
• Flowers are about 2cm
long, red, tubular, in dense
clusters on the ends of
branches, from
winter–spring.
• Produces a small berry
about 1cm in diameter.
• All parts of the plant
are toxic.

How to control
Cestrum
Removal
by hand
Small cestrum plants can be
removed by hand or dug out,
but make sure all root material
and fruit is also removed.
Replacement
planting
Hazel pomaderris
Hazel pomaderris (Pomaderris
aspera) is a suitable replacement
for cestrum.
For more information on
indigenous plants or for a list of
indigenous plant nurseries
please contact Council.
Cardinia Shire Council offers
a subsidy to landowners who
undertake a farm chemical
users course.
Please contact Council for
more information on
1300 787 624.
Information supplied in this pamphlet is
intended as a guide only. While all due care
has been taken, Cardinia Shire Council
accepts no responsibility for the use of the
information or for any errors or omissions.
Environmental Weed Fact Sheet 18
Chemical
control
Cestrum may be controlled
using an appropriate
product, registered for use in
Victoria, containing
glyphosate. Larger plants
should be cut down just
above ground level and the
stump immediately painted
with a glyphosate
based herbicide.
Alternatively, using a drill and
fill method, make angled drill
holes, 5cm apart, or cut a
slot with a small axe in the
trunk near the base, and
immediately apply
glyphosate-based herbicide
to exposed stem. Apply in
warmer months when plant
is active but avoid during
extended dry spells when
plant is stressed.
Search the PUBCRIS
database for registered
products at
www.apvma.gov.au.
Alternatively, use
a licensed
herbicide contractor.
Read the label of any
chemical before use and
ensure that you follow
the manufacturer’s
instructions.
Disposal
Root material, flowers, and
fruit should be placed in
plastic bags with your
weekly garbage collection.
Alternatively, use regular
green waste collection, or
take to your local transfer
station. Remaining material
can be composted.