Clerodendrum paniculatum L.

Horticultural & Botanical History

Introduced to Britain in 1809.  [JD].  ‘A very widely distributed shrub in Eastern Asia, and a great ornament, whether in the jungle or in gardens.  In Eastern India proper it ranges from Tenasserim southwards throughout the Malayan Peninsula; whence it extends to Java, Siam, Cochin China, Eastern China and Formosa.  It varies a good deal in the form of the leaves from orbicular in outline to hastate, and in colour from its usual scarlet to white or yellowish.  The panicles are often a foot and more high, and almost as broad.  According to Ker, who published an excellent figure and description of it in the Botanical Register, it was introduced into England in 1809, from Penang, by Mr. Evan, of Stepney.  Seeds of C. paniculatum were sent to Kew early in 1888 by G. M. H. Playfair, Esq., H. B. M. Consul at Taiwan, in Formosa, which germinated, and the plants grew so rapidly in a stove that by the end of September in the following year they had formed a branching shrub two feet high, and bore the brilliant inflorescence here represented.’  [BM t.7141/1890].

History at Camden Park

It may have been obtained from the London Horticultural Society.  It was included among desiderata in a letter to John Lindley dated 15th Feb. 1848 [MP A2933-1 p.157] but was not marked ‘arrived’ on Macarthur’s copy.  It was also requested of Loddiges’ nursery on 13th February, 1848 [MP A2933-1, p.172].

Notes

Also known as Clerodendron.