Clerodendrum schmidtii, Clerodendrum smithianum

This elegant plant is a rare species in plant collections.

Winter bloomer, puts on a spectacular display with cascading white flowers that dance against its deep green foliage. Flowering racemes hang down a foot and a half or more. It often has two flowering periods during the winter season.

The white fragrant flowers are held in loose pendulous panicles, similar to Bridal Veil (Clerodendrum wallichii). The white flowers on long dark red flower stalks are very showy against dark green foliage.

The differences between the two species however are very distinctive. C. schmidtii has dark red flower stalks and they are much longer, while C. wallichii stems are shorter and all green. The overall look of C. schmidtii is more "fragile" and lace-like. Leaves of C. wallichii are more narrow than C. schmidtii. As far as flower shape, they look a lot alike, however C. schmidtii has fewer stamens. C. wallichii looks greener and healthier in filtered light, and C. schmidtii looks best in full sun conditions.

Similar plants:

• Clerodendrum bungei (Cashmere (Cashmir) bouquet, Glory Bower, Clerodendron)
• Clerodendrum calamitosum (White Butterfly Bush)
• Clerodendrum heterophyllum, Clerodendrum aculeatum (Tree of little stars, Escambron, Tamourette)
• Clerodendrum incisum, Clerodendrum macrosiphon, Rotheca incisa, Rotheca incisafolia (Musical Note, Morning Kiss, Clerodendron, Witches Tongue)
• Clerodendrum inerme, Volkameria inermis (Wild Jasmine, Sorcerers Bush, Seaside clerodendrum, Clerodendron)
• Clerodendrum mastacanthum, Rotheca mastacantha, Rotheca mastacanthus, Rotheca macrodonta (Pink Butterfly Bush)
• Clerodendrum minahassae (Fountain Clerodendrum, Clerodendron, Tube Flower)
• Clerodendrum paniculatum (Pagoda Flower, Orange Tower Flower, Clerodendron)
• Clerodendrum philippinum, Clerodendrum fragrans pleniflorum, Clerodendrum chinense, Volkameria fragrans (Chinese Glory Bower, Cashmere bouquet, Scent Malli, False Pikake, Glory Tree, Clerodendron)
• Clerodendrum quadriloculare (Winter Starburst, Fireworks, Clerodendron)