Clerodendrum trichotomum

Harlequin Glorybower
VERBENACEAE, The Verbena family

A tree that smells like peanut butter? I gave the woman my “God, I wished I worked on the other side of 82nd.” look. Do you remember the flowers? What kind of leaves did it have? How large was it? Nothing, just the peanut butter scent. I do want to help though, so I radio for the expert’s assistance. Strolling up to the info desk, “Peanut butter? Sure! You’re looking for a Clerodendrum.”

Now I know, it is that fabulous thing with the large leaves, like that of catalpa, and the clusters of funny bright pink starfish things with the metallic blue berry on them. Wow! I saw these in the fall but with every step bringing on a new wave of horticultural euphoria, didn’t have much hope of figuring out exactly what they were just then.

About Mulysa

Mulysa Melco is an artist and landscape designer in Portland, Oregon. She hikes, photographs plants, gardens, draws plants, bakes, cooks (plants - she's a vegetarian), reads about plants, relationships (between plants, between people, etc.), and studies Permaculture.
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