Peruvalam

Scientific Name :

Clerodendrum infortunatum L.

Synonym(s) :

Clerodendrum viscosum Vent.

Local/Common name(s) :

Peruvalam

Family :

Lamiaceae

Habit :

Shrubs

Flowering/Fruiting Time :

December-February

Habitat :

Degraded forest areas and also in the plains

Endemic :

No

Status (IUCN) :

Distribution :

Indo-Malesia

Nativity :

Indigenous

Uses :

Medicine

Description (Morphology) :

Shrubs; young shoots tawny villous. Leaves simple, opposite, 8-17 x 6-12 cm, ovate or orbicular, apex acuminate, base cordate, margin entire or denticulate, villous beneath and tomentose above; basally 5-7 nerved; petiole to 8 cm long. Panicle terminal, 14-20 cm long, villous; bracts foliaceous. Calyx cupular, 0.8-1 cm long; lobes lanceolate, 3-5-ribbed, acuminate at apex, tomentose. Corolla white, tubular; tube 1-1.5 cm long, villous without; lobes 6-10 mm long, oblong, hairy without. Stamens 4; filaments slender, purplish, 2-2.5 cm long; anthers oblong. Ovary globose; style slender; exserted, 2-2.5 cm long. Drupe 6-8 mm across, globose, bluish-black on ripening; fruiting calyx enlarged, pink; seeds 2-4, globose, 2-3 mm across.