Phil Bendle Collection:Clerodendrum trichotomum (Harlequin glorybower)

Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Clerodendrum
Species: C. trichotomum
Binomial name: Clerodendrum trichotomum
Synonym: Ferruginous clerodendrum
Common names: Harlequin glorybower, Harlequin Glory Bower, Glorytree, Chou Wu Tong, Peanut butter tree

Clerodendrum trichotomum is a large deciduous shrub, growing 3–6 metres high and is native to China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and India where it grows in thickets on mountain slopes below elevations of 2400 metres.
In New Zealand, it is invasive and has now been banned in New Zealand after it was listed as invasive species. It is now illegal under the Biosecurity Act to propagate, distribute or sell this plant - either casually or through nurseries - but existing plants are still allowed on private properties.

Clerodendrum trichotomum leaves are ovate, >12 cm long, soft and downy and produce a peanut odour when crushed.
It flowers late summer displaying jasmine-like white flowers encased in pink/red sepals (protection for the flower in bud) on branching peduncles.
The fruits (drupes) develop in autumn within pinkish-red calyxes. They are first white then change to a bright blue and eventually a dark blue on maturity.
The leaves are used medically for more info visit: http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Clerodendrum+trichotomum 

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White flowers are encased in pink/red sepals.
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Flowers
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The underside of a leaf.
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Thanks to Wikipedia for text and Information: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

 

 

 

 

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