Genpei Kusagi

Genpei Kusagi or Clerodendrum thomsoniae (scientific name: Clerodendrum thomsoniae) is a climbing evergreen shrub native to West Africa (from Cameroon to Sierra Leone), belonging to the Lamiaceae family and the Clerodendrum genus. It is also known by other names such as Genpei Kazura, Genpei Boku, and in English as bag flower, Bleeding glory bower, Bleeding heart vine. In Portuguese, it is called Lágrima de Cristo (Tear of Christ), and it is also known by its scientific name Clerodendrum thomsoniae.

The vine can grow to lengths of 100 to 700 cm. The leaves are dark green, ovate with prominent veins, entire margins, and opposite arrangement on the branches. From June to September, it extends a compound umbel inflorescence from the branch tips, blooming with 2cm diameter red calyx-like flowers with five deep lobes protruding from white calyces that resemble Chinese lanterns. After the flowers bloom, pink flower-like structures remain for a long period. The long four stamens and one pistil extend from the flower petals.

What is the pink structure?
The pink flower-like structure is not a petal but rather the white calyx that changes to pale pink to purple over time after the petals have fallen. After the flowers are done blooming, green spherical drupes form, which later turn black and split open into two, revealing long elliptical seeds inside.

Origin of the Flower Name
The genus name "Clerodendrum" is a combination of the Latin words "Cleros" (destiny) and "Dendron" (tree). The species name "thomsoniae" is dedicated to A. Thomas Thomson, a Scottish surgeon and botanist who was one of the authors of "Flora Indica." The Japanese name "Genpei" comes from the combination of red and white flower colors, reminiscent of the historical Genpei War, where the Genji clan used white flags and the Heike clan used red flags. The name "Kusagi" (stinking wood) refers to the strong odor emitted by the liquid contained in the branches and leaves.

Flower Language
"Friendship," "Opportunity," "Strong Personality"

Flowers of the Same Genus
　#Kusagi (Clerodendrum trichotomum)
　#Botan Kusagi (Clerodendrum bungei)
　#Horticultural Varieties
　#Horticultural varieties include:

Benigenpei Kazura (Clerodendrum speciosum)
Common Name: Genpei Kusagi
Scientific Name: Clerodendrum thomsoniae
Other Names: Genpei Kazura, Genpei Boku
English Name: bag flower, Bleeding glory bower, Bleeding heart vine
Portuguese Name: Lágrima de Cristo
Origin: West Africa (Cameroon to Sierra Leone)
Classification: Plantae, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Lamiales, Lamiaceae, Clerodendrum
Vine Length: 100-700 cm
Leaf Texture: Papery
Leaf Shape: Ovate with an acute apex and rounded base
Leaf Length: 5-15 cm
Leaf Width: 3-7 cm
Leaf Margins: Entire
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Flowering Period: June to September
Inflorescence: Compound Umbel Inflorescence
Calyx Shape: Resembling a Chinese lantern with five deep lobes
Calyx Color: White to purple
Corolla Color: Red
Corolla Shape: Saucer-shaped with five deep lobes
Flower Diameter: 1.8-2 cm
Number of Stamens: Four
Number of Pistils: One
Stamen/Pistil Length: 2-3 cm
Uses: Garden tree, potted plant

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