Bridal veil, Nodding Clerodendrum

Clerodendrum wallichii Merrill

cler-oh-DEN-drum wall-ICK-ee-eye

Verbenaceae

Explanation of name: Clerodendrum is Greek for tree and chance. Nathaniel Wallich (1786-1854, BA2) was a prominent botanist. 

Natural range: Southeast Asia

Recognition: Shrubs or small trees, 2-4 m tall, erect. Branchlets 4-angled, ± winged, glabrous. Petiole ca. 1 cm; leaf blade oblong to oblong-lanceolate, 11-18 X 2.5-4 cm, subleathery, glabrous, base narrowly cuneate, margin entire, apex acuminate to acute; veins 7 or 8 pairs, adaxially slightly distinct. Inflorescences pendent thyrses, 20-33 cm, glabrous, axis and peduncle 4-angled or winged; bracts small, linear to awl-shaped. Calyx red to purple, ca. 1 cm, tube very short; lobes ovate-lanceolate, 7-8 mm. Corolla white, tube ca. 1.1 cm; lobes ovate, 1.1-1.5 cm. Stamens and style exserted. Fruiting calyx red to purple, inflated, thickened. Drupes yellow-green when young, black and shiny at maturity, globose, 1-1.3 cm in diam.

Landscape uses: large shrub or small tree, 6-8 feet tall. It has dark green leaves with clusters of white flowers during fall. Upon flower cessation, the calyces turn red. Grows in sun or shade and prefers moist soil. (BR1).

Internet sources: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200019355