Pipe bush
Clerodendrum capitatum

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A climbing or scrambling shrub. It grows 6 m high. The leaf stalks 2.5 cm long can remain on old stems and branches. The young branches are densely hairy. The leaves are opposite. They are 2-17 cm long by 1-12 cm wide. They are broadly oval. They taper to the tip and are rounded or wedge shaped at the base. The flowering clusters ate 3-5 cm across. They are a half round shaped. There are large purple bracts around them. The fruit are 12 mm across. They are green when young and black and shiny when ripe.

There are about 400 Clerodendrum species. Also as Lamiaceae

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in forests near rivers. It grows in savannah and closed forests. It grows from 475-1,420 m altitude. It can be up to 1,900 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa (country/location of origin), Angola, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, East Africa, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia

How it is used for food

The root is used in soup broth.

Edible parts

Root

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Anaba, Enhela, Kasengasengwa, Kembang pipa, Kikululu, Kishihoshiho, Klerodendrum putih, Manabo, Mpapa, Mulepula, Ngwevula

Synonyms

Clerodendrum capitatum var. conglobatum (Baker) B. Thomas; Clerodendrum capitatum var. talbotii (Wernham) B. Thomas; Clerodendrum conglobatum Baker; Clerodendrum talbotii Wernham; Siphonanthus capitatus (Willd.) S. Moore; Siphonanthus conglobatus Hiern; Volkameria capitata Willd.;