Clerodendrum kwangtungense
Hand-Mazz.
Pak Tsz Shue
gbif· cc0
President and Fellows of Harvard College
Summary
Clerodendrum kwangtungense is a deciduous shrub growing to 3 m tall. Hermaphroditic flowers are insect-pollinated. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline pH. Requires full sun and prefers consistently moist soil.
Description
A shrub. It grows 2-3 m tall. The young branches are yellow-brown. The leaves are oblong and 6-18 cm long by 2-7 cm wide. The edges can have some teeth and be slightly wavy. The flowering groups are 7-12 cm long by 8-15 cm wide. They are hairy. The flowers are slender tubes and they are white. The fruit is round and fleshy. They are 5-6 cm across.
Edible Uses
The fruit is edible. No further details are available.
Medicinal Uses
No medicinal uses are known for this plant.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows near the edges of forests between 600-1,300 m above sea level in southern China. In Yunnan.
Where It Grows
Asia, China,
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in a sunny position in ordinary garden soil but prefers a fertile humus-rich well-drained soil. The soil must not be allowed to dry out in the growing season. Requires a position sheltered from cold drying winds. Plants can be cut to the ground in severe winters but they usually resprout from the base, especially if they have been well mulched, they will then flower in late summer. Flowers are produced on the current seasons growth.
Propagation
Seed is best sown as soon as possible in a greenhouse. Germination can be erratic but usually takes place within 20–60 days at 20°c. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Root cuttings 6–8cm long can be taken in December in a greenhouse with a high success rate. Division of suckers can be done in the dormant season and is very straightforward — divisions can be planted directly into their permanent positions if required.
Other Uses
No other uses are known for this plant.
Notes
There are about 400 Clerodendrum species.
References (2)
- Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 3673
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
