Brunfelsia americana

Lady of the Night, American Brunfelsia

Message of the Flower

Resolution

The Mother’s Comment

Nothing can stop its development.

Colour

White to light yellow

Family

Solanaceae

Cultivars

Limited cultivars compared to other Brunfelsia species

Person who named the flower

Carl Linnaeus

Flower Size

About 2 inches across

Flower Texture

Soft, velvety

Number of Petals

Five

Floral Symmetry

Radially symmetrical.

Fragrance of Flower

Strongly fragrant, especially at night

Leaf Texture

Smooth

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Leaf Color

Dark green

Structural Variation (Shrub or Tree)

Shrub

Life Cycle

Perennial

Blooming Period

Spring to summer, sporadically throughout the year in tropical climates

Climate

Tropical and subtropical

Water Requirements

Moderate; requires well-drained soil and does not tolerate waterlogging

Soil Type

Prefers fertile, well-drained soils

Temperature Ranges

Does best in warmer climates; not frost-tolerant

Sun or Shade

Prefers full sun to partial shade

Susceptibility to Insects and Diseases

Susceptible to spider mites and root rot in poor drainage conditions

Pollinators

Attracts bees, butterflies, and possibly night-flying pollinators due to its nocturnal fragrance

Habitat

Native to the Caribbean and parts of Central and South America

Role in the Ecosystem

Provides nectar for pollinators

Ornamental

Highly valued for landscaping in suitable climates

Uses in Other Aspects of Life

Primarily ornamental

Endangered Status

Not listed as endangered, but habitat destruction could affect wild populations