Originating from the West Indies, this species has since naturalized in regions of South Asia, along with Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Commonly known as night-blooming jasmine and prized for its strong night-time fragrance emitted from its greenish-white or yellow flowers, it's widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens. However, the plant can form dense, shady thickets that outcompete native flora, preventing natural regeneration in some areas. It has been found to be invasive in various regions including parts of the United States, New Zealand, and Colombia, often forming dense thickets. Furthermore, all parts of the plant are highly toxic, The extracted oil from its flowers contains a variety of compounds such as phenylethyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol. Moreover, this species has been associated with medicinal benefits including acting as an analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic agent among others, according to traditional medicine practices. A specific cultivar from the genus Cestrum, ‘Newellii’, has been recognized with the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. Photographed in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.