Health Benefits

Facts about Chinese Glory Bower

Clerodendrum chinense, the scientific name for Chinese Glory Bower, is a species of flowering plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family and the genus Clerodendrum. It is classified as a member of the Ajugoideae subfamily, which was one of four subfamilies transferred from the Verbenaceae to the Lamiaceae family via molecular and morphological phylogenetics. Southeast Asia, East Himalaya, Jawa, Lesser Sunda Islands, Maluku, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicobar Islands, the Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Thailand, and Vietnam are all likely the places where this plant originated in southern Asia. It spread to numerous tropical and subtropical regions in the Pacific Islands, Central America, South America, and the West Indies, in addition to North America (including Florida, Hawaii, and Mexico).

Glory tree, Fragrant Cleodendron, Glory-bower, Lady Nugent’s rose, wild jasmine, Julius plague, Honolulu rose, moselle, stick shrub, rosalba, and stinking bush are some of the well-known common names for these plants. The epithet Clerodendrum is derived from the Greek words “kleros,” which signifies fortuit, and “dendron,” which refers to a tree. The species name chinensis signifies origin in China. The natural plant is harvested for medicinal purposes within the local community. It is occasionally cultivated for medicinal purposes in China and Vietnam, and is also frequently cultivated for ornamental purposes; the most prevalent cultivar is the double-flowered yet sterile variety.

Chinese Glory Bower Facts

Chinese Glory Bower Quick Facts
Name: Chinese Glory Bower
Scientific Name: Clerodendrum Chinense
Origin Southern Asia (probably China Southeast, East Himalaya, Jawa, Lesser Sunda Is., Maluku, Myanmar, Nepal )
Colors Green to blue-black as they mature
Shapes Small, fleshy fruits
Health benefits Beneficial for rheumatism, asthma, inflammatory diseases, scabies, jaundice, blennorrhea, muscle pain and stiffness
Name Chinese Glory Bower
Scientific Name Clerodendrum Chinense
Native Southern Asia (probably China Southeast, East Himalaya, Jawa, Lesser Sunda Is., Maluku, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicobar Is., Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Thailand and Vietnam).
Common Names Stickbush, Glory-bower, Fragrant Cleodendron, fragrant glory bower, wild jasmine, Chinese glory bower, Julius plague, Lady Nugent’s rose, moselle, rosalba, stick bush, stinking bush, fragrant clerodendron, Honolulu rose, Glory tree
Name in Other Languages Bahamas: Wild jasmine
Chinese: Chong ban xiu mo li, Sān tái hóng huā (三台红花), Jiǔlóng tǔ zhū (九龙吐珠), Chòu mòlì (臭茉莉), Chóng bàn chòu mòlì (重瓣臭茉莉), zhòng bàn chòu mò lì, Chou mo li, Chou mu dan, Báihuā chòu mǔdān (白花臭牡丹)
Cook Island: Spitate mama, tiare tupapaku
Cuba: Avispero, cógelo todo, jazmín trasminador, juan grande, mil flores, mil rosas, yerba hedionda
English: Stickbush, Glory-bower, Fragrant Cleodendron, fragrant glory bower, wild jasmine, Chinese glory bower, Julius plague, Lady Nugent’s rose, moselle, rosalba, stick bush, stinking bush, fragrant clerodendron, Honolulu rose, Glory tree
Finnish: Tuoksukohtalonköynnös, Tuoksukohtalonpensas
French: Herbe à madame villaret, caractère des homes, clérodendron de Chine
German: Lauben-Losstrauch, wohlriechender Losbaum,
Hawaii: Pikake hohono, Pikake pilau, Pikake wauke
Indonesian: Bunga Melati Susun Papua
Jamaica: Julius plague, Lady Nugent’s rose
Kannada: Madras mallige (ಮದರಾಸುಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ)
Korean: Dang o dong (당오동)
Lesser Antilles: Moselle, pain killer, stick-bush, wez alba
Malayalam: Mottor Mohini (മോട്ടോർമോഹിനി), Ottor Mulla
Manipuri: Kuthap Angouba (কুথপ অঙৌবা)
Marathi: Hazari Mogra (हजारी मोगरा)
Micronesia, Federated states of: Honolulu rose, rohsen onoluhlu (Pohnpei)
Nepali: Banabelee (बनबेली), Raajabelee (राजबेली),  Raajakalee (राजकली)
Philippines: Pelegrina
Pohnpeian: Rohsen onoluhlu
Portuguese: Clerodendron-branco-perfumado, hortênsia-filipina
Puerto Rico: Jazmín hediondo, yapaná
Rai: Gandhe Chachang
Samoa: Losa fiti, Losa Honolulu
Sinhala: Pinna
Spanish: Flor de muerto, hortensia, jazmín de muerto, jazmín de perro, jazmin hediondo, yapana, mil flores
Swedish: Doftklerodendrum,
Tamil: Madras Malli (மத்ராஸ மல்லீ), Mysore malligai
Thai: Naang yaem (นางแย้ม), Baabg yaem, Ping son, Syan yai,
USA/Hawaii: Pikake hohono, pikake pilau, pikake wauke
Vietnamese: Ngọc nữ thơm, Vay trang, Mo trang, Ban trang
Plant Growth Habit Erect, shrubby, branched, somewhat hairy, semi-herbaceous, evergreen,  flowering shrub
Growing Climates Pastures, forest edges, roadsides, waste grounds, along streams, thickets, coconut plantations, river banks, secondary forest
Soil Thrive in any well-maintained, well-drained garden soil with a slightly alkaline pH
Plant Size 1 to 3 meters tall
Root Consist of many root suckers
Stem Branches stout, finely pubescent, branchlets nearly 4-angled to round, velvet-hairy when young, becoming hairless
Leaf Membranous, broadly ovate to triangular-ovate, 6-25 cm long, 5-25 cm wide, both surfaces sparsely to moderately strigillose, margins coarsely and irregularly dentate, apex acute, and base cordate to truncate
Flowering season February –November
Flower White to whitish pink fragrant flowers in a cyme inflorescence found in terminal positions, calyx usually purple or red and measures about 10 – 15 mm long
Fruit Shape & Size Small, fleshy fruits
Fruit Color Green to blue-black as they mature
Flavor/Aroma Mogra like fragrance
Plant Parts Used Leaves, Aerial Part, Roots, Stem
Propagation
  • By seed
  • By semi-hardwood cuttings
  • By root cuttings
Season February–December

Plant Description

Chinese Glory Bower is an evergreen, erect, shrubby, branched, semi-herbaceous, flowering shrub with a somewhat shaggy appearance that is renowned for its magnificent blossoms and aesthetic appeal. Globally, it is a prevalent plant in subtropical and tropical landscapes. The potential height and distribution of the Chinese Glory Bower are comparable, ranging from 1 to 2 meters, contingent upon the specific environmental conditions. Secondary forest, pastures, forest margins, roadsides, waste grounds, streams, thickets, coconut plantations, forest edges, and riverbanks are all habitats for this plant. The plant thrives in fertile, well-drained, well-maintained garden soil with a pH that is slightly alkaline. In some regions where it has been introduced, this plant may be regarded as both an aesthetic asset and an invasive species. The plant has been awarded the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Stem

The stems have a woody base and, as they mature, can become quite dense. Older specimens of the silky bark that covers them may begin to peel.

Leaves

The foliage consists of substantial, heart-shaped, broadly ovate leaves with a velvety texture. These plants have a typical deep green hue and can reach lengths of 6-25 centimeters and widths of 5-25 cm. Sparse to moderate strigillose covers both surfaces, while irregularly and coarsely dentate the margins, have an acute apex, and a cordate to truncate base.

Flower

The blossoms possess a pleasant aroma and are organized in terminal cyme inflorescences. The tubular shape of each flower is characterized by its five lobes, and its coloration ranges from white to pinkish or purplish at times. The calyx-tube is approximately 1.5 centimeters in length and consists of five to six lanceolate segments that are crimson-purple in color. It is slender below and enlarged above. In the tube, the white corolla measures 3 to 3.5 centimeters in diameter and 1 to 1.5 centimeters in length. Pollinators that are attracted to the blooms include bees and butterflies.

Fruit

The plant yields compact, fleshy fruits that mature from green to blue-black after flowering.

Care Chinese Glory Bower plant

Pruning

Prior to the onset of new growth in late winter or early spring, prune the plant. To shape the plant and promote bushier growth, eliminate deceased or damaged branches using clean, sharp pruning shears or loppers. Cuts should always be made at a 45-degree angle, directly above a leaf node or blossom.

Health & Safety

It is unknown whether Chinese Glory Bower is toxic or poisonous to humans, canines, or cats. However, it is consistently recommended to prevent canines from ingesting it, as is the case with any plant. It is unknown whether this plant causes contact dermatitis or other skin irritations; it is also devoid of thorns and spikes.

Pests and Problems

Chinese Glory Bower is susceptible to infestation by spider mites, aphids, and whiteflies, among others. These parasites commonly consume the plant’s sap, a process that can result in leaf wilting, impaired development, and a general deterioration of the plant’s well-being. Horticultural lubricants, insecticidal soaps, and, if required, chemical pesticides are employed as control measures. Additionally, proper air circulation around the plants is essential for preventing fungal diseases like powdery mildew.

Traditional Uses

Prevention and Control

When contemplating chemical control, it is advisable to consult the national list of registered pesticides or the relevant authority in order to ascertain which products are lawfully permitted for use in your country, given the variable regulations surrounding (de)registration of pesticides. It is imperative that pesticides be utilized in a legal and prescribed manner, as specified on the product label.

Physical/Mechanical Control

Mechanical control is challenging; persistent slitting will merely impede the spread without eradicating it. If sufficiently deep, vertical impediments in the soil may impede further spread.

Biological Control

Phyllocharis undulata, a chrysomelid beetle, exhibits promise as a bio control agent. Additional research in this field is required.

Chemical Control

The application of chemical control for C. chinense necessitates meticulous execution. As potential herbicides for Western Samoa, triclopyr butoxyethyl ester-containing herbicides are suggested. Research conducted in Western Samoa has demonstrated the efficacy of metsulfuron-methyl ester as a control agent. It has been suggested that the plants be pruned and herbicide be sprinkled on the new growth. An herbicide such as 3, 5, 6-trichloro-2-pyridinyloxyacetic acid butoxyethyl ester may be applied to young plants via spraying. Motooka et al. hypothesized that this weed could be controlled with hormone-type herbicides applied in punctual repeat applications.

Different Uses

References:

https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabicompendium.113371

https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/CLZFR

http://www.stuartxchange.com/Pelegrina.html

https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=CLCH4

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clerodendrum_chinense

https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/229226

https://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Chinese%20Glory%20Bower.html

https://apg.pir.sa.gov.au/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=407664

https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Clerodendrum+chinense

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