Cestrum parqui, Palqui, Green cestrum or Willow-leaved Jessamine
Cestrum parqui, commonly known as Palqui, Green cestrum or Willow-leaved Jessamine, is a species of flowering plant native to Chile. It is so widespread in Chile that they say of a well-known person: 'He is as famous as Palqui '.
In Australia the plant is regarded as a noxious invasive weed and a significant hazard to livestock (especially cattle) which may eat it inadvertently or during shortages of other foods, often resulting in death.
C. parqui is a fast-growing, straggling, woody, semi-evergreen shrub that grows over 3 m tall (or more in warmer areas) with one or a few fragile green stems. The alternate, light green leaves have an unpleasant rubber-like smell when crushed. It produces terminal sprays of small, fragrant, tubular yellow-green flowers followed by bunches of small, black, egg-shaped berries. All parts of the plant are reported to be highly toxic.
The small, black fruits of Cestrum parqui are highly attractive to birds, which play a major role in seed-dispersal, passing the seeds in their droppings: seedlings are thus often found growing under perching trees, along fencelines, and in creek banks, where it is also dispersed by water.
Though the plant is deemed toxic, it has been used in folk medicine to treat tumours and haemorrhoids and possesses sudorific (= perspiration-inducing), laxative and antispasmodic properties. Decoctions or infusions of the plant have also been administered in cases of intermittent fever and an infusion of the inner bark drunk to treat unspecified "stomach ailments".
Branches of Cestrum parqui are used to slap patients during shamanic healing ceremonies held by the indigenous Huilliche people of the Los Lagos Region of southern Chile. This is done in the belief that the foul smell of the Cestrum leaves is abhorrent to the demons believed to be causing the patient's illness and will cause them to leave the patient's body in vomit.
Scientific name: Cestrum parqui
Common names: Plaqui, Green Cestrum, Willow Leaved Jessamine
Family: Solanaceae
Native Distribution: Chile,
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