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Clerodendrum laevifolium Blume
| Family Name: | Lamiaceae (Labiatae) |
| Synonyms: | Clerodendrum wallichii Merr., Clerodendrum nutans |
| Common Name: | Bridal Veil, Nodding Clerodendron |
21 Nov 2025 (James/Pauline) added species growth rate, marked as moderate
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
|---|---|
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India, Nepal |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Woody, evergreen perennial with a spreading or prostrate growth habit. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Glossy, green leaves are lanceolate to oblong with wavy leaf margin (10 - 23 cm long). Leaves are deeply veined and occur in pairs (opposite leaf arrangement). |
| Stems | This species usually has one long, straight stem. The bark is grey and smooth. |
| Flowers | White, fragrant flowers have red sepals and long, white stamens that curve upwards. The bilaterally symmetrical flowers are composed of 5 unequal petals that vary in shape from obovate to lanceolate (1 - 1.5 cm long). They are arranged in large, branched inflorescences known as panicles that hang downwards. This species is free-flowering. |
| Fruit | Fleshy, pitted fruits are known as drupes. Fruits are round (1 - 1.3 cm wide) and located in the middle of the calyx which becomes fleshy and star-shaped. |
| Cultivation | This species should be planted in fertile, well-drained soil. Plants should be protected from the wind, because the stem is brittle and snaps easily. |
| Etymology | Genus epithet Clerodendrum is from the Greek word "kleros" which means chance and "dendron" meaning a tree. Specific epithet laevifolia means smooth-leaved. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Focal Plant |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly-Attracting (Flower Nectar) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting, Ground Layering, Air-Layering |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 535 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1831 |
| 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. |
