The 'Chance Tree' that hides a secret blue pigment

Nature · Published 18 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In Japanese culture, it is known as the "smelly tree" for its distinct peanut butter scent. But beyond its fragrance lies a botanical oddity: berries that transform from white to a striking blue, yielding a unique chemical compound used for natural dyes.

Clerodendrum trichotomum, commonly known as the harlequin glorybower or peanut butter tree, is a versatile deciduous species native to East Asia and India. Its name carries deep etymological roots: 'Clerodendrum' derives from the Greek words for "chance" and "tree," while 'trichotomum' refers to its "three-forked" or "triple-branched" structure. While it is often cultivated as a decorative shrub in Europe and the Americas, its biological behavior is distinct; unlike many deciduous plants, its dark green leaves do not change color in autumn but instead drop off with the first frost.

The plant's reproductive cycle is notable for its lack of self-pollination, requiring at least two separate plants to produce fruit. These fruits are drupes that undergo a dramatic visual transition, starting as white and turning bright blue before maturing to a dark blue or black. This shift is driven by the production of trichotomine, a novel blue pigment. This chemical property allows the berries to serve as a source for natural dyes, providing a functional utility beyond their ornamental value.

Culturally and practically, the species has diverse applications. In parts of East Asia, its leaves are consumed as a vegetable after being boiled to remove their characteristic odor. Its wood has historically been used to manufacture clogs, and in some Japanese villages, grubs found within the trunk were toasted as a sedative for children. Today, it remains a popular choice for privacy hedges and butterfly gardens due to its ability to attract pollinators like bees, moths, and hummingbirds.

Introduced to European cultivation around 1800 and brought to Arkansas by Russian botanist Karl Maximovich in the 1860s, the species is now widely naturalized. It is highly adaptable, growing in various soil types from clay to sand and reaching heights of up to 8 metres depending on the region and care.

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