Clerodendrum indicum (L.) Kuntze

Turk's Turbin; Tube Flower

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Turk's Turbin is an introduced herbaceous to semi-woody (in our area) shrub in the Mint family (Lamiaceae). It is native to China, India, and Southeast Asia. In Alabama in can be found in the southern third of the state. Turk's Turbin grows around old home sites, on roadsides, and along fence rows. Unbranched hollow stems reach a height of 6-15 feet. The root system is a rhizome and produces suckers along its length. Leaves occur in whorls of 3-5 along the stem. The leaves are sessile, lanceolate in outline, glabrous, with entire margins. Flowers are produced in a terminal thyrse. Individual flowers are on bracteate peduncles up to 2 inches long. The calyx is 5 lobed and densely glandular. The corolla is funnelform, cream in color, with five lobes. It is curved and drooping with a tube up to 8 inches in length. The stamens are reddish in color and long exserted. The flowers are aromatic and are pollinated by Sphinx moths. The fruit is a deep blue 2-4 lobed drupe. As the fruit matures, the calyx enlarges and becomes dark red and leathery. The blue fruit against the red calyx looks like a flower. Turk's Turbin is sometimes planted as an ornamental. It is available from nurseries that sell tropical plants. Turk's Turbin prefers a sandy, well-draining soil in full sun. It does best in a protected area with a southern or western exposure. It can become aggressive with its long creeping rhizomes. Turk's Turbin has been used medicinally in Asia to treat infections, asthma, and eating disorders.--A. Diamond

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Not Native

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