Clerodendrum paniculatum (Pagoda Flower)

Native to Andaman Is., Assam, Bangladesh, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, and Cambodia and nearby regions, this is a shrub in the Lamiaceae family. It is a fast-growing tropical shrub. The Pagoda Flower has a spectacular inflorescence carrying clusters of coral-pink to reddish-orange flowers. These blossoms, shaped akin to butterflies, arrange themselves in a pagoda-like structure. Traditionally, it’s been employed to alleviate a range of ailments from common colds, fevers, and headaches to more serious conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and even tuberculosis. The roots have a special place in treating jaundice, diabetes, and dysentery, amongst others. Modern pharmacological studies echo this traditional wisdom, attributing anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-hypertensive, and anti-diabetic properties to compounds extracted from the plant. and Florida. Photographed in Guaduas, Colombia.