Harlequin Glory-bower

Clerodendrum trichotomum

Found in roadsides, streambanks; cultivated and also strongly naturalized, this species is becoming a serious invasive in many parts of our region. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 65%

Height: 10–20 feet
Spread: 10–20 feet
Light: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture: Dry to wet

See native alternatives

Clerodendrum trichotomum — fruit photograph — Fukufukurou · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Original photograph

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At a glance

Life cycle: Woody perennial
Leaves: Deciduous

Not yet recorded · Bloom

Recorded in 9 Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Named place / source context. Shown: Watauga Falls, North Carolina, a neighboring state.Watauga Falls, Illustrator/engraver not confidently attributed; reproduced in Zeigler and Grosscup, The Heart of the Alleghanies (1883), 1883. Public domain. Source record.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

1CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

Genus host records with ranges including VA · Clerodendrum

Diaphania hyalinataMelonworm Moth

Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)

—BeesSoutheastern regional records

—Specialist beesPollen specialists

—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family: Lamiaceae
Hardiness: Zones 7a–10b
Flower color: Blue or white

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Flower color · “Blue or white” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Hardiness · “Zones 7a–10b” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Height · “10–20 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Leaves · “Deciduous” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Life cycle · “Woody perennial” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Light · “Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil · “Dry; Moist; Wet (documented habitat)” · Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition · Carolinas and Georgia
Spread · “10–20 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox

Also known as

Ferruginous Clerodendrum; Harlequin Glory Bower; Harlequin Glorybower

Conservation status

Virginia rank	Not available
Global rank	GNR
VA status	Not verified
Federal status	Not verified

Conservation source Global and federal source