Clerodendrum trichotomum
Harlequin Glorybower
VERBENACEAE, The Verbena family
A tree that smells like peanut butter? I gave the woman my “God, I wished I worked on the other side of 82nd.” look. Do you remember the flowers? What kind of leaves did it have? How large was it? Nothing, just the peanut butter scent. I do want to help though, so I radio for the expert’s assistance. Strolling up to the info desk, “Peanut butter? Sure! You’re looking for a Clerodendrum.”
Now I know, it is that fabulous thing with the large leaves, like that of catalpa, and the clusters of funny bright pink starfish things with the metallic blue berry on them. Wow! I saw these in the fall but with every step bringing on a new wave of horticultural euphoria, didn’t have much hope of figuring out exactly what they were just then.
