Clerodendrums Cousins

I found this plant growing on its own in my garden. I was delighted when I saw it because I knew it was the Marugbo plant(aka Clerodenrum Volubile) the Ondo people use for their amazing , highly medicinal Marugbo black soup.My research also confirmed it. I have transplanted and propagated and now waiting for them to take full form.

This plant is a flowering Vine, native to tropical west Africa and is best in full or partial sun/shade and moist, fertile, well drained soil just like the cousin, the Bleeding heart vine/Clerodendrum Thomsoniae. It’s meant to be drought resistant when established and as edible as it is, it is also quite ornamental. It can be grown in your balcony or outdoors with support and training.

In relation to the Marugbo plant/Clerodendrum Volubile, this is a cousin, The Bleeding heart Vine/Clerodendrum Thomsoniae, Vining on my balcony railing. Who knows. It might be edible.


Native to Tropical West Africa, They do best in full sun and in partial shade, preferring a moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Established plants are drought resistant and they can flower all year round as mine is and does. Thought I get very few flowers. I probably ought to feed it more. It can be grown on your balcony or outdoors with support and training. 

“The plant was named at the request of Rev. William Cooper Thomson, a missionary and physician in Nigeria, in honor of his late first wife. This plant was very popular during the mid 19th century under the name "beauty bush". It lost favour only when its unusual culture conditions were forgotten. Specifically, its root system must be partially submerged in water most of the time, and it wants very good light.” edibleplants #bleedingheartvine #medicinalplants #forestplants #knowplants #stewardoftheearth #growingplants #edibleforestgarden #floweringplants #ornamentalplants #tropicalwestafrica #nativeplants

#edibleplants #marugboplant #medicinalplants #forestplants #knowplants #stewardoftheearth #growingplants #edibleforestgarden #tropicalwestafrica #nativeplants