This is a versatile plant and can be grown as a topiary or as a bonsai.A hardy, straggling shrub, with closely arranged, almost round, shiny, deep green leaves.
Seaside clerodendrum, as its name suggests, grows well along the beach tolerating the salt spray of the ocean and the harsh rays of the sun.
Common name | Flower colours | Bloom time | Height | Difficulty |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wild Jasmine, Sorcerers Bush, Seaside clerodendrum, Glory Bower, Indian privet. | White. | All year round. | 9-12 ft. | Easy. |
This erect, sprawling or climbing shrub grows to heights of up to 6 metre. The stems are woody, and smooth. The opposite, simple leaves are ovate or elliptic, usually 3–10 cm long, 1–4 cm wide, the apex obtuse to shortly acuminate, the base more or less rounded.
The margins are entire, and the petiole is from 5 mm to 2 cm long. The leaves are green, smooth, with a slightly shiny upper surface.
Sunlight | Soil | Water | Temperature | Fertilizer |
---|---|---|---|---|
Full sun to partial shade. | Well-drained soil. | Draught tolerant. Allow the soil to dry between watering. | Upto 40 degrees F. | Application of nitrogenous fertilizers on growth. |
Special features: Clerodendrum inerme Leaf is ground in water and the juice is taken orally to treat fever. It is an important medicinal plant reported to be used in the treatment of skin diseases, venereal infections, elephantiasis, asthma, topical burns and for rheumatism.It is also used as substitute of quinine.
Culinary use: Clerodendrum inerme Leaf is ground in water and the juice is taken orally to treat fever.
Ornamental use: Clerodendrum inerme is used in many places in landscaping, as a ground cover or a hedge plant, especially near the sea, as it tolerates the salt spray.
Medicinal use: A wreath of the flowers may also be given to a person suffering from depression. The flowers are used to perfume coconut oil.
Parts of the plant are used in medicinal preparations; for example, Wulej is an ingredient in a baby bath preparation which is reckoned to prevent body odour in the baby in later life.