Clerodendrum japonicum
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Verbenaceae
- Genus
- Clerodendrum
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 2.5 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
Flowers[3]. They are evil-smelling[3]. The leaves are also probably used[3]. Young leaves and shoots - cooked as a vegetable or pickled[7].
- Plant part
- Flowers
- Plant part
- Leaves
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
The leaves are applied to boils[5]. A decoction of the inflorescence is used in the treatment of gonorrhoea, haematochezia and nosebleed[5].
- Product or use
- Poultice
- Product or use
- VD
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China, Japan, India.
- Habitat
- Thickets in valleys, along streams and in grassy openings at elevations of 100-1200 metres[6]. Moist gullies and shady places to elevations of 1600 metres in Nepal[7].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 10+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
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[2]. 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[8]. Division of suckers in the dormant season. Very easy, they can be planted out direct into their permanent positions if required.
Cultivation
Succeeds in a sunny position in ordinary garden soil[1][4] but prefers a fertile humus-rich well-drained soil[2][4]. The soil must not be allowed to dry out in the growing season[1]. Requires a position sheltered from cold drying winds[1][4]. A very ornamental plant[1]. This species is almost certainly not hardy outdoors in Britain[4]. Flowers are produced on the current seasons growth[4].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00