clerodendrum
(klɪərəʊˈdɛndrəm)
Also clerodendron.
[mod.L. (Linnæus Genera Plantarum (1737) 186), f. Gr. κλῆρος chance + δένδρον tree.]
A plant of a large genus of shrubs, climbers, or small trees, belonging to the family Verbenaceæ and native to many warm parts of the world, particularly Africa and Malaya.
| 1812 W. T. Aiton Hortus Kewensis (ed. 2) IV. 63 Fragrant Clerodendrum... Scarlet Clerodendrum. Ibid. 64 Downy Clerodendrum. Cumberland Tree. Ibid. 65 Long-flower'd Clerodendrum. 1829 Loudon Encycl. Plants 1079 Some of the Vitexes and Clerodendrums are handsome shrubs. 1851 B'ham & Midl. Gardeners' Mag. Apr. 42 Pot the Clerodendrons in the pots which they are intended to bloom in. 1924 Blackw. Mag. Apr. 464/1 A tangle of rank undergrowth,..convolvulus, smilax, and the scarlet clerodendron. 1961 Amat. Gardening 21 Oct. 5/2 The clerodendrums bloom late enough to be included among the autumn-flowering shrubs. |