Clerodendrum kwangtungense

Clerodendrum kwangtungense is a shrub in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is deciduous, which means it sheds its leaves. It comes from southern China and grows in forests and at their edges. Records list Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan and Yunnan. Wild sites lie around 1,970–4,265 feet [600–1,300 metres] above sea level. Kew calls its climate subtropical. Useful Tropical Plants calls its home region warm temperate. Both accounts place it in fairly mild parts of China.

The shrub grows about 6.6–9.8 feet [2–3 metres] tall. Useful Tropical Plants also gives a height of 8.2 feet [2.5 metres]. Plants For A Future gives an upper height of 9.8 feet [3 metres]. The plant has woody growth. The accounts do not give its full-grown width. Nor do they give much detail on its crown shape. They do not describe its bark, stems or leaf shape. These gaps make it harder to tell this shrub from others using the garden traits given here.

Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers. Listed visitors include bees and Lepidoptera, the moth and butterfly group. Useful Tropical Plants says flowers grow on the current season's new growth. The accounts give no firm months for bloom. They do not describe flower colour, scent or fruit. Both plant-use sources list the fruit as edible. Neither says how to prepare it or how much people eat.

Plants For A Future says moist soil suits this shrub. It lists sand, loam and clay soils that drain well. Soil may be mildly acid, neutral or mildly alkaline. The same profile says the plant cannot grow in shade. Yet its notes on landscape use include dappled shade. Its advice on light thus conflicts. Useful Tropical Plants reports that it can stand brief cold near 27°F [-3°C]. This does not set a firm hardiness zone. Nor does it prove the shrub can stand long freezes.

The sources say little about established garden use. Plants For A Future suggests a sunny woodland edge. Useful Tropical Plants says local people harvest wild plants for medicinal use. Plants For A Future lists no known use as medicine. The two accounts thus differ. Neither source reports known hazards, but this does not prove safety. No account names a pest or disease that harms this shrub. The accounts give no evidence for other uses.