Family: Lamiaceae
Clerodendrum indicum, (Indian glory bower) is a tropical shrub native to India and Nepal, eastward to Burma (Myanmar), southern China, Indochina, Thailand, and Peninsular Malaysia. It has been widely dispersed as an ornamental plant and is cultivated in virtually every tropical region, including the Hawaiian Islands. It is now reported to be naturalized in Indonesia, Madagascar, southern USA, West Indies and northern South America and has been described as adventive (introduced but not fully naturalized) on Oahu. Although it can spread by bird-dispersed seeds and suckering stolons, and is regarded as a weed in certain situations, it has not yet been reported to negatively affect agriculture or natural resources.
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives and spreads in regions with tropical climates.
- Broad elevation range.
- Naturalized in multiple locations around the world and reported to be adventive (introduced but not fully naturalized) on Oahu.
- A weed of landscaping, and a potential agricultural and environmental weed (impacts not quantified).
- Other Clerodendrum species are invasive weeds.
- Potentially allelopathic.
- Shade tolerant (but also grows in full sun).
- Tolerates many soil types.
- Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by stolons.
- Seeds dispersed by birds and possibly other animals, and through intentional cultivation by people.
- Tolerates and regrows after cutting or pruning.
Low Risk Traits:
- Although naturalized and reported to be weedy, impacts on agriculture and the natural environment have not been documented to date.
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs).
- Palatable to goats and likely other browsing animals.
- Non-toxic
- Herbicides are effective at controlling other invasive Clerodendrum species.
