Clerodendrum trichotomum

Clerodendrum trichotomum, the harlequin glorybower, glorytree or peanut butter tree, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is native to China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, India, and the Philippines.^[2][3]

Clerodendrum trichotomum
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Lamiaceae
Genus:	Clerodendrum
Species:	C. trichotomum
Binomial name
Clerodendrum trichotomum Thunb.

It is a large deciduous shrub, growing 3–6 metres (10–20 ft) high. The leaves are ovate, up to 12 cm (5 in) long, soft and downy or hairy, producing a peanut odor when crushed. The fragrant flowers are borne on branching peduncles. They have white petals, held within a green calyx which turns red as the fruits ripen. The fruits (drupes) are white, changing to bright blue and eventually dark blue on maturity.^[4] They contain the novel blue pigment trichotomine.^[5]

It is cultivated for its fragrant flowers, autumn colour, and ornamental berries. It is hardy but requires a sheltered position. The variety C. trichotomum var. fargesii (Farges' harlequin glorybower) and the cultivar C. trichotomum var. fargesii 'Carnival'^[6] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.^[7] (confirmed 2017).^[8]

Etymology

Clerodendrum is derived from Greek, and means 'chance tree'.^[9]

Trichotomum is also derived from Greek, and means 'three-forked' or 'triple-branched'.^[9]

References

1. de Kok, R. (2022). "Clerodendrum trichotomum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T164941752A164941933. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T164941752A164941933.en. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
2. Wearn, J.A.; Mabberley, D.J.; Bramley, G.L.C. (2019). "Clerodendrum". Flora Malesiana. Series I - Seed Plants. Vol. 23–2019. The Netherlands: Naturalis Biodiversity Center. p. 152. ISBN 978-90-6519-019-2.
3. "Clerodendrum trichotomum". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
4. RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
5. Iwadare S, Shizuri Y, Yamada K, Hirata Y. Synthesis of trichotomine, a blue pigment obtained from Clerodendron trichotomum Thunb. Tetrahedron. 1978; 34(10):1457-1459. doi:10.1016/0040-4020(78)80166-5
6. "Clerodendrum trichotomum var. fargesii 'Carnival'". RHS. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
7. "Clerodendrum trichotomum var. fargesii". RHS. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
8. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 22. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
9. Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521866453 (hardback), ISBN 9780521685535 (paperback). p 111, 385

Further reading

• Hillier, J. and A. J. Coombes. The Hillier Manual of Trees and Shrubs. David & Charles. 2007.