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Clerodendrum trichotomum - Thunb.

Common Name Chou Wu Tong, Harlequin glorybower, Ferruginous clerodendrum, Harlequin Glory Bower
Family Verbenaceae
USDA hardiness 6-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Thickets on mountain slopes, throughout most of China except Nei Mongol, below elevations of 2400 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Clerodendrum trichotomum Chou Wu Tong, Harlequin glorybower, Ferruginous clerodendrum, Harlequin Glory Bower


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fanghong
Clerodendrum trichotomum Chou Wu Tong, Harlequin glorybower, Ferruginous clerodendrum, Harlequin Glory Bower
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Jean-Pol_GRANDMONT

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Red. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Rounded, Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Clerodendrum trichotomum is a deciduous Tree growing to 6 m (19ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Young sprouts and leaves - cooked[105, 177].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Analgesic  Antipruritic  Antirheumatic  Hypotensive  Parasiticide  Sedative

The leaves are mildly analgesic, antipruritic, hypotensive and sedative[176, 218, 254]. They are used externally in the treatment of dermatitis and internally for the treatment of hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain, numbness and paralysis[176, 218, 254]. When used in a clinical trial of 171 people, the blood pressure of 81% of the people dropped significantly - this effect was reversed when the treatment was stopped[254]. The plant is normally used in conjunction with Bidens bipinnata[218]. When used with the herb Siegesbeckia pubescens it is anti-inflammatory[254]. The roots and leaves are antirheumatic and hypotensive[147]. A decoction is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension[147]. The pounded seed is used to kill lice[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Parasiticide

None known

Special Uses

Espalier  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Espalier, Standard, Specimen. Succeeds in a sunny position in ordinary garden soil but prefers a fertile humus-rich well-drained loam[164, 200]. The soil must not be allowed to dry out in the growing season[1]. Requires a position sheltered from cold drying winds[1, 200]. Plants are generally hardy to about -15°c[184, 200], they succeed outdoors at Kew though the branches are pithy and are apt to die back in winter[11]. The sub-species C. trichotomum fargesii. (Dode.)Rehder. is somewhat hardier, tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c[184]. Plants produce the occasional sucker[182]. The leaves have a heavy unpleasant odour when crushed[11, 182]. Flowers are produced on the current seasons growth and are sweetly scented[200]. Special Features:Not North American native, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as possible in a greenhouse. Germination can be erratic but usually takes place within 20 - 60 days at 20°c[164]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Root cuttings, 6 - 8cm long, December in a greenhouse. High percentage[78]. Division of suckers in the dormant season. Very easy, they can be planted out direct into their permanent positions if required.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Clerodendrum bungeiGlory Flower, Rose glorybower, Cashmere Bouquet, Mexican Hydrangea, Glory BowerShrub2.0 7-9 MLMHNM010
Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum Shrub3.0 -  LMHNM11 
Clerodendrum japonicumJapanese glorybowerShrub2.5 9-11  LMHNM11 
Clerodendrum kwangtungense Shrub3.0 -  LMHNM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Thunb.

Botanical References

1158200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Carolyn Evans   Fri Jul 7 2006

The seeds make a good blue dye. Remove the outer covering of the seeds and simmer what is left in water. Use this water to dye wool or silk mordanted with copper. The leaves can also be used as a dye.

Ivan Viehoff   Thu Sep 7 2006

It is not uncommon to see the genus written Clerodrendron, but I suspect this is an old form. Clerodendrum is one of several genera in Verbenaceae which may be reclassified as Lamiaceae.

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