Familiar Indian Flowers: with Coloured Plates/Clerodendron Thomsones

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WHOEVER,” says Dr. Lindley, “shall investigate the true distinctions between the beautiful species of Clerodendron will assent who has in the smallest degree cultivated these handsome flowers or attempted to classify or enumerate them.

I am a little doubtful as to the correctness of the above name for the species exhibited in the Plate, but after careful study of various books on the subject, the description given of “Clerodendron Thomsones” is the one that tallies best with the plant before us.

It would be difficult to find anything that can surpass the great loveliness of many of the species of this genus; they are also well known, and may be found adorning every garden.

Unlike most of the other varieties, our present subject is a scandent shrub, and might almost be denominated a climber, It requires a support, and will spread over any bush or shrub close at hand.

The stems are a dark, almost purple colour, and the bright scarlet flowers with their creamy calyxes droop most gracefully from the tips.

The extreme elegance and grace of this bush can hardly be imagined, unless once beheld: during the cold weather, when in its greatest beauty, it has a very fascinating and charming effect, appearing lke a multitude of creamy bells, tipped with bright scarlet tongues.

It is difficult to procure the seeds of this species, as they are light and soon blown away, but as it takes well from cuttings, there is no difficulty in raising young plants. Many of the other varieties throw up young suckers very abundantly, which should be transplanted to prevent too thick a growth of these plants.

The coral-crimson blossoms and handsome umbrella-like leaves of the other varieties are well known, but the heads of flowers being over a foot in length, they are quite beyond anything but a casual mention in this work. ​