Mangrove clerodendrum
Volkameria inermis

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

An evergreen scrambling shrub. It grows to 2-5 m high and spreads to 2 m across. It can be a bushy climber. The stem is erect and branching. The bark is smooth and mottled cream-brown. The leaves are glossy green, and tapering. The leaf blade is 4-12 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. They have a small pointed tip. The leaf stalk is long. The flowers are white and like tubes 4-5 cm long and 2 cm across. They have 5 spreading lobes. The stamens are purple, about 3 cm long and protrude out the end. The flowers have a sweet smell and occur in clusters. These are normally at the ends of new shoots. The fruit is round and 1-2 cm across. There are cup shaped lobes at the base. The fruit are purple black when ripe.

Leaves have been used to treat sores, by rubbing on them. There are about 400 Clerodendrum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It prefers rich, well drained soil. It grows best in a sheltered, partly shaded position but also likes sun. It is drought and frost tender. It occurs naturally in coastal regions and in monsoon vine forests. Often it is on old sand dunes and near mangroves. It can tolerate being flooded with salty water. Adelaide Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, East Timor, Fiji, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kiribati, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten.

The fruit are not particularly attractive.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. Plants can be kept bushy by regular pruning.

Plants flower in February to September and fruit April to July.

Its other names

Local names

Anjali, Banjai, Batraj, Etipisinika, Kembang lugang, Kundali, Lanjai, Limau lelang, Melati utan, Nirnochi, Nyitakkali, Pinarichanganguppi, Sangkupi, Scrambling clerodendrum, Takkolakamu, Te inato, Terong gambul, Tulang-tulang, Vanajai, Wulej

Synonyms

Volkameria inermis L.; Clerodendrum neriifolium Wall. ex Walp.; Clerodendrum inerme var. oceanicum A. Gray; Clerodendrum inerme var. neriifolium Kurz.; Clerodendrum inerme f. inerme H. & A.. Moldenke;