Clerodendrum trichotomum Thunb.

Spreading shrub or small tree to c. 6 m high; sucker shoots sometimes frequent; stems hairy when young. Lvs long-petiolate. Lamina 9–18 × 7–12 cm, smaller on flowering shoots, usually ovate or oblong-ovate, entire to crenulate, tomentose beneath when young, later the hairs mainly confined to veins, becoming glabrate above; base cuneate on flowering shoots, cordate on vegetative shoots; apex abruptly short-acuminate. Infl. a large terminal panicle of fragrant fls; peduncles and pedicels hairy, reddish. Calyx 1–1.5 cm long at anthesis, slightly hairy at base, ± red, lobed to c. ⅓; segments ovate, sharply keeled, acute. Corolla white; tube c. 1.5 cm long; lobes 8–12 mm long, patent, linear-oblong to oblong. Stamens exserted by 1–2 cm. Frs globose or subglobose, 5–9 mm diam., bright blue, glossy, surrounded by the shining crimson calyx lobes. Seed flattened on 1 side.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Dec.–Mar.