One of the shrubs in our garden that managed to survive a decade of neglect while we were working overseas, but which has sprung back to become a regular bloomer from about February to April is the Pagoda Flower (Clerodendrum paniculatum). The beautiful conical red flower head stands 1-1.5m up on the erect stem of the plant. It is originally from India and SE Asia and is now considered naturalised in NE Australia. The Pagoda Flower is a great butterfly attractor and I frequently see Cairns Birdwings hovering next to the flower cones. One species of Hawk Moth larva also uses it as a food plant.
Clerodendrum paniculatum is a member of the mint family and has a number of traditional medical uses. Laboratory experiments with rats indicate that it has anti-inflamatory and anti-oxidant properties but traditional beliefs in Malaysia suggest it has mystical spirit summoning properties, while in other areas it is used as an elephant medicine.
While this plant makes a nice feature flower, its enthusiasm for spreading via suckers does mean it can slowly take over parts of some gardens. While it is not a declared weed, in Cairns it is listed as an emerging weed while the Wet Tropics Management Authority has listed it as an “Undesirable Plant”. So we have a responsibility here in Paluma to make sure it does not escape our gardens if we already have this species, and to think twice before adding it. The PDCA has decided that we will not plant any species on the Undesirable List in any of its garden beds around the Community Hall. You can download the full list here.
Text and Photos by Jamie Oliver