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Clerodendrum japonicum

Common name:		Family:	Verbenaceae
Author:	(Thunb.)Sweet.	Botanical references:	1, 200, 266
Synonyms:
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	E. Asia - China, Japan, India.
Habitat:	Thickets in valleys, along streams and in grassy openings at elevations of 100-1200 metres[266]. Moist gullies and shady places to elevations of 1600 metres in Nepal[272].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	1	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	1

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	C. squamatum[G] Volkameria japonica[G]
Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Japanese Glory-bower [B], Japanese Glorybower [P],
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Lamiales. Verbena family

Physical Characteristics

A decidious shrub growing to 2.5m. It is hardy to zone 10. It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to November. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 1/5 for edibility and 1/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade.

Edible Uses

Flowers Leaves.

Flowers[177]. They are evil-smelling[177].
The leaves are also probably used[177]. Young leaves and shoots - cooked as a vegetable or pickled[272].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Poultice VD.

The leaves are applied to boils[218].
A decoction of the inflorescence is used in the treatment of gonorrhoea, haematochezia and nosebleed[218].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Succeeds in a sunny position in ordinary garden soil[1, 200] but prefers a fertile humus-rich well-drained soil[164, 200]. The soil must not be allowed to dry out in the growing season[1]. Requires a position sheltered from cold drying winds[1, 200].
A very ornamental plant[1].
This species is almost certainly not hardy outdoors in Britain[200].
Flowers are produced on the current seasons growth[200].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as possible in a greenhouse. Germination can be erratic but usually takes place within 20 - 60 days at 20° c[164]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts.
Root cuttings, 6 - 8cm long, December in a greenhouse. High percentage[78].
Division of suckers in the dormant season. Very easy, they can be planted out direct into their permanent positions if required.

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[B] Data (Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for the family Verbenaceae.

[CHINA] Data Very detailed botanical/identification info. from the Flora of China.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.

[164] Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Yuccas, one on Sagebrush (Artemesia spp) and another on Chaerophyllum bulbosum.

[177] Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[266] Flora of China 1994
On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
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