Clerodendrum floribundum
R.Br.
Thurkoo, Lollybush, Bleeding heart, Smooth Spiderbush, Smooth Clerodendrum
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Summary
Source: WikipediaClerodendrum floribundum, known as the lolly bush or smooth clerodendrum, is a shrub or tree found in Australia and New Guinea. Its habitat is in or at the margins of coastal rainforests, up to 300 metres above sea level. In Western Australia it grows in drier areas, such as rocky sites, gorges, cliffs, floodplains and creek beds.
Description
A shrub or small tree. It grows 1.5-4 m high. Plants often sucker freely. The leaves vary in size and shape. They are often oval. The blade is 6-17 cm long by 3.5-13 cm wide. The leaves have a long stalk and pointed tip. The flowers are white and like tubes with stamens sticking out the end. They are 2-7 cm long in open groups which are 15-25 cm across. They are produced towards the ends of branches. The fruit is a round dry capsule with lobes. There is a red star like calyx at the base. The fruit is 1-1.5 cm across. It is red and turns black when ripe. There are several varieties.
Edible Uses
The roots are boiled and eaten. While the fruit is noted as not typically edible, some sources claim the ripe fruit are eaten.
Traditional Uses
The roots are boiled and eaten. (The fruit are not edible.) Some claim the ripe fruit are eaten.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
A lotion made from the branches or bark was used for easing bodily aches. The roots were boiled and eaten
Known Hazards
The fruit are generally not considered edible.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions. It grows in coastal areas on sand dunes. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 1200 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.
Where It Grows
Asia, Australia*, China, East Timor, SE Asia, Timor-Leste,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seed. They can also be grown from cuttings and root suckers. They can be pruned to shape the plant.
Propagation
Seed - - best sown as soon as it is ripe. Germination is rather unreliable and can take several months. Softwood cuttings Cuttings of half-ripe wood Root cuttings Division of suckers
Notes
There are about 400 Clerodendrum species.
Nutrition
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Root | 52.3 | 918 | 220 | 1.6 | — | — | — | — |
Also Known As
Babirda, Babirdirmi
References (32)
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- Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 266
- Brock, J., 1993, Native Plants of Northern Australia, Reed. p 122
- Calvert, G., 2010, The Burdekin Delta Tree Guide. Lower Burdekin Landcare Association., Inc., Ayr p 53
- Cancilla, D., 2018, Ethnobotanical and Ethnozoological Values Desktop Assessment - Eliwana Project. p 10
Show all 32 references Hide references
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- Milson, J., 2000, Trees and Shrubs of north-west Queensland. DPI p 300
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- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
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- Townsend, K., 1994, Across the Top. Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 136
- Townsend, K., 1999, Field Guide to Plants of the Dry Tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 34
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