Pagoda flower has a beautiful Tamil name Krishna Kireedam meaning the crown of Lord Krishna. The name is very apt for this flower.
Pagoda flower botanical name is Clerodendrum paniculatum and belongs to Verbenaceae family. This grows like a weed in most parts of the Western ghats adding color and attracting the beautiful giant butterflies. Pagaoda flower plant is a native of Sri Lanka, Malaysia and southeast Asia. I have seen these plants in bloom in Varadahalli, Kavadi Kere, Kodachadri, Goa and so on.
This plant is an evergreen shrub with branches. Pagoda plant grows to a maximum of 5 feet tall. The leaves are large and heart shaped. Leaves width can be up to 12 inches across.
The flowers bloom at the tips of the branches. The blossoms arranged in layers of decreasing diameter looks like a Crown and also like a Japanese Pagoda. The flowers are orange-red or yellow small, funnel shaped with long thin stamens. Each flower is ½ inch in length.
Picture above taken in Singapore Botanical Gardens
Flowers bloom sporadically through all seasons.
The suckers that arise can be removed and replanted. Pagoda flower plant can be grown through cuttings also. Plant in full or partial sun, water every day and fertilize regularly. Severe winters might reduce the blooms.