The Makiling Botanic Gardens (MBG) Plant of the Month (POM) for April 2023 is the Luag, scientifically known as Clerodendrum klemmei Elmer from the Lamiaceae family. Clerodendrum is derived from two Greek words, kleros meaning “chance or fate” or “clergy” and dendron “a tree”. Klemmei was named after Wilhelm Klemme a German forest officer. The plant is endemic to the Philippines.
Luag is a shrub or small tree that grows in wet tropical areas. They have suckers found on their roots often producing a thicket. Its flowers are terminal, white with a long corolla tube, and protandrous (sequential hermaphroditism) while its fruits are drupe with reddish calyx and greenish to black exocarp.
They are grown as ornamental plants because of their abundant and beautiful flowers. Clerodendrum species are also used as food by some Lepidoptera larvae like Endoclita sp., attracted to butterflies and hummingbirds as their flowers bloom.
To get a closer look of this plant, kindly watch the video through this link: https://youtu.be/MShndjKIVm0
By: AALimpiada and ACMalayba