Thurkoo, Lollybush, Bleeding heart, Smooth Spiderbush, Smooth Clerodendrum
Clerodendrum floribundum
Family: Lamiaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It grows 1.5-4 m high. Plants often sucker freely. The leaves vary in size and shape. They are often oval. The blade is 6-17 cm long by 3.5-13 cm wide. The leaves have a long stalk and pointed tip. The flowers are white and like tubes with stamens sticking out the end. They are 2-7 cm long in open groups which are 15-25 cm across. They are produced towards the ends of branches. The fruit is a round dry capsule with lobes. There is a red star like calyx at the base. The fruit is 1-1.5 cm across. It is red and turns black when ripe. There are several varieties.
There are about 400 Clerodendrum species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions. It grows in coastal areas on sand dunes. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 1200 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), China, East Timor, SE Asia, Timor-Leste
How it is used for food
The roots are boiled and eaten. (The fruit are not edible.) Some claim the ripe fruit are eaten.
Edible parts
Roots, fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed. They can also be grown from cuttings and root suckers. They can be pruned to shape the plant.
Its other names
Local names
Babirda, Babirdirmi