Common name: Bleeding heart vine.
Bleeding heart vine is a climber that can grow to more than 3 meters in height. The plant is native to the Southern Tropical African region. The branches are square in cross section. The simple leaves are arranged in an opposite manner. The leaf margin is entire and the leaf has an ovate shape with an acuminate apex. The leaf nerves are prominently exposed. The inflorescence is in the form of a axillary cyme. The flower consists of an inflated bell shaped calyx in sparkling white. The flower petals are deep crimson. A spectacular color combination-hence a preferred ornamental plant world over. The flower has 4 stamens and a style. They are both much longer than the petals. The flower measure around 2 cm in length. Clerodendrum belongs to the Verbenaceae family and consists of 400 species. They are mostly shrubs and trees of tropical/sub tropical African and Asian origin.
