Family: Lamiaceae

Clerodendrum × speciosum is a hybrid plant, that is a low weedy shrub. It is used as an indoor plant, container plant, in hanging baskets, or as a border plant. It is reported to be naturalized in Puerto Rico, but there is no evidence of naturalization in the Hawaiian Islands to date. Other species of Cleodendrum are invasive. It also has a smothering growth habit, the ability to regrow from fragments and tolerate many soil types, placing it in the “evaluate” category.

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized in Puerto Rico, and possibly elsewhere, but no evidence in the Hawaiian Islands to date
  
• Other Clerodendrum species are invasive
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Climbing, and potentially smothering, growth habit
  
• Reproduces vegetatively by suckering
  
• Propagated, and dispersed, intentionally by people
  
• Able to resprout after cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of negative impacts where cultivated or naturalized
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Reported to be a sterile hybrid
  
• Lack of seed production limits ability to disperse long distances
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control if needed