Clerodendrum glandulosum

Clerodendrum glandulosum (syn. Clerodendrum colebrookianum), commonly known as East Indian glory bower, is a perennial shrub belonging to the family Lamiaceae, but sometimes classified under Verbenaceae. It is one of the most well known among ~400 species of Clerodendrum, as it is widely used in traditional practices, such as for vegetable and treatments of diabetes, hypertension, cough and rheumatism. The species is found in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia including India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal; and also in temperate China. In India it is confined to the north-east region including West Bengal and Sikkim, and is classified under the threat status as vulnerable.

Description

An evergreen shrub. It grows 3 m high and spreads 2 m wide. The stem is slender and erect. The crown is round. The leaves are broadly oval. They are heart shaped at the base. The flowers occur in dense heads. They are white and star shaped. They have long stamens. The fruit are blue and fleshy when ripe.

Edible Uses

Young leaves are used as a cooked vegetable in stews, particularly during winter. Fresh leaves can be stored for up to 7 days. Shoots are sold in local markets.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves are used as a cooked vegetable during winter. They are used in vegetable stew. The fresh leaves can be stored for 7 days.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

It is a common medicinal plant used for rheumatic pains by the Khasi and Jaintia tribes of Meghalaya. It is believed that the smell of the wood relieves children from many diseases. Leaves and roots are used by Manipuri tribes for skin diseases, cough, and dysentery. The tribal natives of Arunachal Pradesh use the leaf juice mixed with garlic extract given in treating blood pressure or cooked leaf is taken for the same. Among the Mizo, leaves are cooked as vegetable. Locally known as 'Anphui / Phuihnam' is popularly used to control hypertension. Like their Mizo brethren, the Hmar, the Garos of Meghalaya and Kukis of Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Myanmar also used the leaves to control hypertension and as a vegetables and is known as 'Anphui' in their dialect. More often than not, is used extensively in the preparation of pork curry. It is a popular folk remedy for hypertension throughout north-eastern India.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It is best in well-drained, well-composted soils. It needs a protected sunny position. In Northeastern India it grows between 1,200-1,700 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, China*, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.

Production

In Nagaland leaves are harvested June to September.

Other Information

Shoots are sold in local markets. It is a cultivated food plant.

Notes

There are about 400-600 Clerodendrum species.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Anphui, Anpui, Doloin, Donggam, Jarem, Jylon, Jyrktung, Kaombi, Khahmao, Kuthap, Lansuo, Lukhna biphang, Mismau, Mpingbua, Nankar, Nefafu, Nephaphu, Oen, Ongin, Peau krimbua, Pejii-o, Pherklum, Phuihnam, Piduvu, Polo-O, Poto-ow, Shingebum, Tapin, Tippin, Wangpet, Zaub ntsuab tshws loj

References (41)

• Angami, A., et al, 2006, Status and potential of wild edible plants of Arunachal Pradesh. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge 5(4) October 2006, pp 541-550 (As Clerodendrum colebrookianum)
• Arora, R. K., 2014, Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species - An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International. p 39 (As Clerodendrum colebrookianum)
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 265 (As Clerodendrum colebrookianum)
• Dobriyal, M. J. R. & Dobriyal, R., 2014, Non Wood Forest Produce an Option for Ethnic Food and Nutritional Security in India. Int. J. of Usuf. Mngt. 15(1):17-37 (As Clerodendrum colebrookianum)
• Dutta, U., 2012, Wild Vegetables collected by the local communities from the Churang reserve of BTD, Assam. International Journal of Science and Advanced Technology. Vol. 2(4) p 119 (As Clerodendrum colebrookianum)

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