Clerodendrum trichotomum, the harlequin glorybower, glorytree or peanut butter tree, is a species of flowering plant in the familyLamiaceae. It is native to China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, India, and the Philippines.[2][3]
It is a large deciduousshrub, growing 3–6 metres (10–20 ft) high. The leaves are ovate, up to 12 cm (5 in) long, soft and downy or hairy, producing a peanut odor when crushed. The fragrant flowers are borne on branching peduncles. They have white petals, held within a green calyx which turns red as the fruits ripen. The fruits (drupes) are white, changing to bright blue and eventually dark blue on maturity.[4] They contain the novel blue pigment trichotomine.[5]
It is cultivated for its fragrant flowers, autumn colour, and ornamental berries. It is hardy but requires a sheltered position. The varietyC. trichotomum var. fargesii (Farges' harlequin glorybower) and the cultivarC. trichotomum var. fargesii 'Carnival'[6] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[7] (confirmed 2017).[8]
Etymology
Clerodendrum is derived from Greek, and means 'chance tree'.[9]
Trichotomum is also derived from Greek, and means 'three-forked' or 'triple-branched'.[9]
^Wearn, J.A.; Mabberley, D.J.; Bramley, G.L.C. (2019). "Clerodendrum". Flora Malesiana. Series I - Seed Plants. Vol. 23–2019. The Netherlands: Naturalis Biodiversity Center. p. 152. ISBN978-90-6519-019-2.
^RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN978-1405332965.
^Iwadare S, Shizuri Y, Yamada K, Hirata Y. Synthesis of trichotomine, a blue pigment obtained from Clerodendron trichotomum Thunb. Tetrahedron. 1978; 34(10):1457-1459. doi:10.1016/0040-4020(78)80166-5
