Japanese Glorybower (Clerodendrum japonicum) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Japanese Glorybower is a shrub from tropical and subtropical Asia grown in warm climates. Loose clusters of red or sometimes white flowers rise above its large leaves, which often have heart-shaped bases.

Appearance

Growth form: A shrub or smaller, partly woody plant grown in warm climates.
Leaves: Large, opposite leaves often have heart shaped bases and toothed edges.
Flowers: Loose clusters of red or sometimes white flowers rise above the leaves. The project well beyond each flower.
Flowering time: In Florida it blooms from late spring into early summer.

Look-alikes

Pagoda flowerClerodendrum paniculatum

Both can have showy red flower clusters. Pagoda flower (Clerodendrum paniculatum) has leaves with three to five clear lobes; Japanese Glorybower usually has unlobed leaves.

Chinese glorybowerClerodendrum chinense

Chinese glorybower (Clerodendrum chinense) usually packs pale or pinkish flowers into a dense, rounded cluster. Japanese Glorybower has a looser, spreading cluster and can have red flowers.

Three glorybowers in Florida

	Leaves	Flower cluster
Japanese Glorybower	Usually unlobed	Loose, often red
Pagoda flower	Clearly 3–5 lobed	Spreading, red to orange
Chinese glorybower	Unlobed	Dense, often pale or pink

Where it lives

Typical habitats: gardens
disturbed woodland in Florida
Range: It comes from tropical and subtropical Asia. In Florida, this introduced plant has been found in disturbed woodlands.
Preferred conditions: It grows in 9b–11.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

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