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The Harlequin Glory Bower, scientifically known as Clerodendrum trichotomum, was first described by the Swedish botanist Carl Peter Thunberg in the late 18th century.

The species name “trichotomum” and its binomial classification were established by Thunberg, who conducted extensive botanical work in Japan and other parts of Asia during the 1770s and 1780s.

🌿 Quick Facts about Harlequin Glory Bower:

Scientific Name: Clerodendrum trichotomum Thunb.

Common Names: Harlequin Glory Bower, Glorytree, Peanut Butter Tree

Native Range: China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, India, and the Philippines

Notable Features: Fragrant white flowers, metallic blue fruits, and leaves that smell like peanut butter when crushed

Cultivation: Popular in gardens for its ornamental appeal and pollinator-friendly blooms

🍇 Fruit Characteristics:

Appearance: The fruit is a small, round, metallic blueberry surrounded by a vivid red calyx, creating a striking contrast that gives the plant its ornamental appeal.

Development: These berries form after the plant’s fragrant white flowers bloom in late summer.

Toxicity: While the berries are attractive to birds and wildlife, they are considered toxic to humans and animals if ingested.

Cultural Role: The persistent red calyx and blue fruit are often admired in gardens for their unusual beauty, especially in the fall when many other plants fade. Cultural Meanings Across Societies

East Asian Traditions (China & Japan)

Symbol of Romance and Love: The plant’s heart-shaped leaves and red-and-white flowers have long been associated with romantic affection and passion. In traditional Japanese and Chinese gardens, it’s often planted to evoke emotional warmth and beauty.

Good Fortune and Protection: In some folk traditions, especially in rural Japan, the plant is believed to ward off negative energy and bring good luck when planted near homes.

Ornamental Legacy: Cultivated for centuries, it’s valued for its seasonal beauty and fragrant presence, often used in temple gardens and private courtyards.

Medicinal & Aromatic Significance of Harlequin Glory Bower

Though primarily admired for its ornamental beauty, Clerodendrum trichotomum—known as Harlequin Glory Bower or Chou Wu Tong in traditional Chinese medicine—has a quiet legacy in herbal healing and sensory wellness.

🧪 Traditional Medicinal Uses

In East and Southeast Asia, the leaves and roots have been used in folk remedies to support:

Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Rheumatoid arthritis and joint inflammation

Skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis

Numbness and neuralgia

These uses are attributed to the plant’s bioactive compounds, including:

Flavonoids – antioxidant and anti-inflammatory

Saponins – immune-modulating

Clerodane diterpenes – antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory

Caffeic acid – linked to cardiovascular and skin health

⚠️ Note: The berries and leaves are toxic if ingested in large quantities. Traditional use is topical or in controlled decoctions under expert guidance.

🌸 Aromatic & Sensory Qualities

Peanut butter-scented leaves offer a playful, nostalgic aroma when crushed.

Sweet floral fragrance from summer blooms attracts bees, butterflies, and garden lovers alike.

These qualities make it a favorite in aromatherapeutic and sensory gardens, symbolizing relaxation, curiosity, and emotional warmth.

🌍 Global Symbolism

The plant’s ability to attract bees, butterflies, and birds has made it a symbol of biodiversity and ecological harmony, especially in permaculture and pollinator-friendly gardening movements.

Western Interpretations:

In the language of flowers, it symbolizes individuality, admiration, and renewal, thanks to its unique appearance and late-season bloom.

It’s also seen as a living art piece, used in landscaping to create focal points or sensory gardens.

Ecological Symbolism:

The fruit has been admired since the plant was first described by Carl Peter Thunberg in the late 18th century, during his botanical explorations in Japan and other parts of Asia.

While there’s no specific historical record of the fruit being used in traditional medicine or cuisine, its decorative use in gardens has been documented for over two

So while it technically bears fruit, the Harlequin Glory Bower is grown more for its aesthetic and aromatic qualities than for any culinary or medicinal use.

🌸 Aesthetic Qualities:

Fragrant White Flowers: These bloom in late summer and are star-shaped, creating a delicate and elegant appearance.

Vivid Red Calyx: After the flowers fade, the calyx remains and turns a striking red, adding long-lasting color to the plant.

Metallic Blue Fruit: The small berries that develop are an iridescent blue, dramatically framed by the red calyx—this contrast is visually stunning and unique in the plant world.

Seasonal Interest: The plant offers multi-season beauty, flowers in summer, colorful fruit and calyx in fall, and attractive foliage throughout the growing season.

🌿 Aromatic Qualities:

Peanut Butter-Scented Leaves: When crushed, the leaves emit a scent remarkably similar to peanut butter, which is both surprising and memorable.

Sweet Floral Fragrance: The flowers themselves are sweetly scented, attracting pollinators like butterflies and bees, and adding a pleasant aroma to gardens.

This combination of visual drama and unexpected fragrance makes the Harlequin Glory Bower a favorite in sensory gardens and landscape design.

🎨 Artistic and Spiritual Resonance

Inspiration in Art and Design: Its vivid colors and unusual form have inspired botanical illustrations, textile patterns, and garden design motifs, particularly in East Asian and contemporary eco-art contexts.

Therapeutic Symbolism: Though not widely used medicinally, its aromatic leaves and calming presence have earned it a place in aromatherapeutic and wellness gardens, symbolizing healing and tranquility.

Harlequin Glory Bower (Clerodendrum trichotomum)** available from several specialty nurseries and online plant retailers, especially in the U.S. Here’s a curated list of sources and what they offer:

🛒 Where to Buy Harlequin Glory Bower

🌍 Availability Notes

Native Range: China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam

USDA Zones: 6–9 (can be grown as a cutback shrub in colder zones)

Container-Friendly: Yes, especially in colder climates or urban gardens