Tube-Flower Clerodendrum

Clerodendrum minahassae Teysm. & Binn.

kler-oh-DEN-drum min-ah-HASS-ee

Verbenaceae

Explanation of name: Generic name from Greek for chance and tree. Specific epithet is a geographic reference, presumably to the Pacific island Minahasa.

Natural range: Tropical Asia

Recognition: Large shrub or small tree with long tubular white flowers in clusters, the calyx becoming succulent and red after flowering. Fruit deep blue-purple in center of red star calyx. This character along with arching white-tubular flowers shared with the invasive exotic species Clerodendrum indicum (L.) Kuntze, but Clerodendrum indicum has whorled (vs. opposite) leaves and small green calyx lobes (vs. calyx lobes reddish and 1/3 as long as the petal-tube).

Landscape uses: Large, fast-growing specimen with showy summer flowers.

Reportedly difficult to propagate