Bunga pagoda
Clerodendrum japonicum

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows about 2 m high. The leaves are opposite. They are 5-17 cm long by 3.5-18 cm wide. They are broadly oval. The base is heart shaped and taper towards the point. It has small rounded teeth around the edge. The flowers are red and in large spreading panicles. The fruit are round. They become black when ripe. They have a red outer covering.

Used as medicine in Indonesia. There are about 400 Clerodendrum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows up to 1600 m altitude in Nepal. It grows in valleys, open spaces and in forests. In XTBG Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, East Timor, Guianas, Guyana, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, South America, Suriname, Taiwan, Tibet, Timor-Leste, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leaves and shoots are cooked as a vegetable or pickled. The flowers are eaten in salads and used as a potherb.

It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seeds or stem cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Bakan, Bei bing, Bieboa bo, Binliang, De ga pa me, He bao hua, Poto-O, Tapen

Synonyms

Clerodendrum kaempferi (Jacq.)Sleb.; Clerodendrum paniculatum L.; Volkameria japonica Thunb.;