Brunfelsia australis ("Nioibanmatsuri")

Japanese name: ニオイバンマツリ （匂蕃茉莉）
Scientific name: Brunfelsia australis

[Overview]
A shrub about 3 m tall, evergreen in warm regions but semi-evergreen in cold regions.
It branches well.
The leaves are simple and alternate, broadly elliptic to obovate, 4–12 cm long, with a glossy upper surface.
The leaf margins are entire.
The flowers are borne 1–3 at a time in cymes, about 4 cm across, and the corolla is 5-lobed.
The flowers are purple with a white eye in the center when they begin to open, but turn white as they age.
The flowers are fragrant, especially at night.
The fruit is a spherical berry.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
It can overwinter outdoors in areas without frost.
It prefers a sunny, fertile place with good drainage and good water retention.
It dislikes the strong midsummer sun and afternoon sun, so move potted plants to partial shade in summer.
For plants in the ground, a moist place under deciduous trees is good.
It dislikes dryness, so take care not to let it dry out; for potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless sunny weather continues and the soil becomes dry.
From spring to autumn, apply slow-release fertilizer placed on the soil.
Pests and diseases include spider mites and scale insects.

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