clerodendrum

[ kleer-uh-den-druhm, kler- ]

noun

1. any of numerous tropical trees or shrubs of the genus Clerodendrum, having clusters of variously colored flowers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of clerodendrum¹

< New Latin (Linnaeus), equivalent to Greek klēro- (combining form of klêros lot, chance) + déndron tree; allegedly so named in reference to the varying uses of its species, some being medicinal, some poisonous

Example Sentences

At Seoul International Park, in a shaded tent winding up Irolo Street, vendors from locales all over South Korea have come to sell their regional specialties: dried seaweed, soybean paste, bamboo salt, sliced plum pickles, dried mussels, pickled octopus, clerodendrum wood chips, milk vetch root.

From Los Angeles Times

I noticed among and around the pits a species of Bambusa, Celtis, Kydia calycina, Clerodendrum infortunatum, Calamus, Areca, Dicksonia, Ficus, Pentaptera, and Rottlera. 

From Project Gutenberg

Panax foliis palmatim partitis, Clerodendrum nutans, Ficus feruginea and F. hispida, foliis cordatis, serrato-dentatis: then Saurauja micrantha; before 2,300 feet were reached. 

From Project Gutenberg

Various species of jessamines and roses, with oleanders, pomegranates, myrtles, egg-plants, orange and lemon trees, the Lilium superbum and tigrinum, Canna Indica, Gladiolus cardinalis, Clerodendrum fragrans, Datura ceratocolla, Clethra alnifolia, and Dianthus Carthusianorum, are to be seen in the greatest profusion and beauty.

From Project Gutenberg

Mimusops kaukii constituted the principal part of the arboreal vegetation, Clerodendrum inerme and Premna obtusifolia form low straggling thickets--scattered bushes of Suriana maritima and Pemphis acida fringe the sandy margin of the island, and behind these the beautiful Josephinia grandiflora, a large white-flowered Calyptranthus, Vitex ovata and a Tribulus creep along the sand, or spread out their procumbent branches.

From Project Gutenberg