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Clerodendrum thomsoniae
Family Name: | Lamiaceae (Labiatae) |
Common Name: | Bleeding-heart, Bleeding Heart Vine, Bag Flower, Bleeding Glory Bower, Glory Tree, 龙吐珠, 珍珠宝莲 |
Name
Family Name | |
Genus Epithet | |
Species Epithet | |
Name Status (botanical) | |
Common Names | |
Comments |
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
Plant Growth Form | Climber, Vine & Liana |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Plant Shape | Shrubby |
Maximum Height | 3 m to 3.5 m |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | West Africa |
Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Casual)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | Evergreen vine or shrub with a twining growth habit, up to 7 m in length. |
Foliage | Smooth, dark green glossy leaves are elliptic with entire leaf margin, measuring up to 15 cm long and 7 cm wide. Leaves are deeply veined and have a long pointed tip (acuminate apex). Leaf base is obtuse or rounded. Leaves are arranged oppositely along the stem. |
Stems | Woody, quadrangular, puberulent (hairy). |
Flowers | Flowers are composed of 4 white, ovate calyces and 5 dark red, obovate petals and 5 white, long stamens. The calyces form a pyramidal shape with the tips hanging downwards. |
Fruits | Fruits are drupe-like, black. Seeds oblong. |
Habitat | Found in disturbed areas, wet lower montane forests and weedy flats. It is mostly planted as ornamental in cultivated areas. |
Cultivation | Plant in slightly acidic to neutral, well-drained soil with 0.5 - 0.6 m of space between individuals. The soil should be kept moist, but not soggy. This species grows best in a humid environment. Generously feed with a fertilizer containing micronutrients. A slow-release fertilizer can be applied bimonthly or a liquid soluble fertilizer monthly. Adequate calcium is required for optimal flowering and may be added to the soil mix as crushed egg shells. Propagate by woody stem cuttings or suckers. |
Etymology | The genus Clerodendrum comes from Greek word meaning chance-tree. The specific epithet thomsoniae is named in honour of Thomas Thomson, a Scottish doctor who was superintendent of the Calcutta Botanic Garden. |
Landscaping Features
Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Full Sun |
Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
Potential Problems | Mealybugs and whiteflies. |
Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth |
Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
Foliar Margin | Entire |
Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower & Plant Sexuality 1 | Bisexual Flowers |
Flower Colour(s) | White, Red |
Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Flower Location | Axillary |
Flower Symmetry | Radial |
Inflorescence Type | Compound Umbel |
Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
Mature Fruit Colour(s) - Angiosperms and Gymnosperms | Black |
Image Repository
Images |
Others
Master ID | 74 |
Species ID | 1370 |
Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |