Family: Lamiaceae

Clerodendrum quadriloculare (starburst clerodendrum, Philippine glorybower) is a perennial shrub or small tree in the mint family (Lamiaceae), native to the Philippines and New Guinea. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental in tropical and subtropical regions for its showy pink and white inflorescences. Plants grow rapidly and reproduce both by vegetative suckers and, where compatible pollinators are present, by seed. In its introduced ranges such as Hawaiʻi, Guam, and Florida, populations often expand aggressively through dense stands formed by suckering root systems. In some places, including Hawaiʻi, fruit production has not been observed, likely due to the absence of pollinators or genetic uniformity among cultivated stock.

The species is considered invasive in parts of the Pacific and the southeastern United States, where it can displace native vegetation, spread into natural or semi-natural habitats, and persist despite management efforts. It tolerates a range of soil types and environmental conditions, regenerates vigorously after cutting, and requires repeated herbicide treatment for effective control. No specialized natural enemies or biocontrol agents have been identified in its introduced range, and generalist pests or pathogens provide no meaningful suppression. While its ornamental value has facilitated its introduction and spread, C. quadriloculare presents ecological risks where it escapes cultivation and establishes persistent, clonal thickets.

High Risk Traits:

• Highly invasive in tropical/subtropical regions
  
• An environmental weed on several Pacific islands
  
• Other Clerodendrum species are invasive
  
• Shade tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil types (not limited by substrate)
  
• Can form dense monospecific stands
  
• Spreads aggressively via root suckers and bird-dispersed seeds (but fruit production not observed in the Hawaiian Islands)
  
• Tolerates repeated pruning and cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• Spreads by suckers in Hawaii, but not reported as naturalized
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Limited seed production in some regions due to pollinator dependence
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control