Common Name: Chou Wu Tong

General Information

Clerodendrum trichotomum is a shrub or small tree growing from 1.5 - 10 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and occasionally as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, India.

Habitat

Thickets on mountain slopes, throughout most of China except Nei Mongol, at elevations below 2400 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	6.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Clerodendrum trichotomum is found from the temperate zone, through the subtropics and just entering into the tropics in southern China. Plants are generally quite cold tolerant, often able to survive temperatures down to about -15°c, - they are likely to lose their top growth at such temperatures but will generally resprout from the base, especially if well mulched[, , ]. The sub-species C. Trichotomum fargesii. (Dode.)Rehder. Is somewhat hardier, tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c[].
Succeeds in a sunny position in ordinary garden soil but prefers a fertile humus-rich well-drained loam[, ]. The soil must not be allowed to dry out in the growing season[]. Requires a position sheltered from cold drying winds[, ].
Plants produce the occasional sucker[].
The leaves have a heavy unpleasant odour when crushed[, ].
Flowers are produced on the current seasons growth and so, to encourage flowering, any pruning is best carried out when the plant is dormant[]. The flowers are sweetly scented[].

Edible Uses

Young sprouts and leaves - cooked[, ]. The leaves of species in this genus usually have a bitter flavour and are often eaten at least as much for their tonic affect upon the digestive system as for any appeal to the taste buds[].

Medicinal

The leaves are mildly analgesic, antipruritic, hypotensive and sedative[, , ]. They are used externally in the treatment of dermatitis and internally for the treatment of hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain, numbness and paralysis[, , ]. When used in a clinical trial of 171 people, the blood pressure of 81% of the people dropped significantly - this effect was reversed when the treatment was stopped[]. The plant is normally used in conjunction with Bidens bipinnata[].
When used with the herb Siegesbeckia pubescens it is anti-inflammatory[].

The roots and leaves are antirheumatic and hypotensive[]. A decoction is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension[].

The pounded seed is used to kill lice[].

Other Uses

Extracts of both the leaves and the stems are used as ingredients in commercial cosmetic preparations as skin conditioners[].
An extract of the branches is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an antioxidant[]

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as possible in a greenhouse. Germination can be erratic but usually takes place within 20 - 60 days at 20°c[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts.
Root cuttings, 6 - 8cm long, December in a greenhouse. High percentage[].
Division of suckers in the dormant season. Very easy, they can be planted out direct into their permanent positions if required.