Lolly bush facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lolly bush
tree at Mount Archer National Park, Australia
Scientific classification
Genus:	Clerodendrum
Species:	floribundum

The Lolly bush, also known as Clerodendrum floribundum, is a fascinating shrub or small tree. You can find it growing in Australia and New Guinea. It gets its fun name "lolly bush" because its shiny, black fruits look a bit like yummy lollies! But remember, these fruits are not for eating.

About the Lolly Bush

The Lolly bush is a plant that can grow in different places. It often lives near the edges of rainforests along the coast. It can be found up to 300 metres above sea level. In some parts of Western Australia, it even grows in drier spots. These include rocky areas, deep valleys called gorges, cliffs, and along creek beds.

What the Lolly Bush Looks Like

The leaves of the Lolly bush are usually between 4 and 15 centimetres long. They are also about 2 to 6 centimetres wide. Their tips can be blunt, sharp, or even a bit spiky. Young leaves are not as fuzzy as those of a similar plant called the downy chance.

The plant's scientific name, Clerodendrum, comes from Greek words. It means "lottery tree." This name might refer to the idea that some plants in this group could have medicinal uses, but it wasn't always certain. The second part of its name, floribundum, means "lots of flowers." This is because the plant produces many showy flowers.

The fruit of the Lolly bush is a shiny black berry. It grows on a bright red, fleshy base. This base is called a calyx. The fruit looks very glossy and juicy, which is why people started calling the plant the "lolly bush."

How Big it Can Get

Usually, the Lolly bush is a small tree. But sometimes, it can grow much taller! One Lolly bush was recorded as being 30 metres tall. Its trunk was about 30 centimetres wide. This very tall tree was found in the Booyong Flora Reserve in northern New South Wales.

Flowers and Fruit

The Lolly bush produces beautiful white flowers. They have a sweet smell. These flowers grow in clusters called cymes. You can usually see them blooming between September and December. After the flowers, the plant grows its distinctive black fruits.

Where it is Found

There's a little discussion about exactly how far south the Lolly bush grows in Australia. Some experts, like A.G.Floyd, say it grows as far south as Batemans Bay. From there, it spreads north all the way to Cape York at the very top of Australia. It also grows west through the Northern Territory and Western Australia. However, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney think that some records from the far southeast might not be correct.

Lolly Bush and Butterflies

The leaves of the Lolly bush are very important for a special insect. They are a food source for the caterpillars of the Fiery Jewel Butterfly. These caterpillars munch on the leaves as they grow.

Growing New Plants

It's quite easy to grow new Lolly bush plants. You can grow them from fresh seeds. You can also grow them from cuttings, which are small pieces of the plant. This plant likes a lot of water to grow well.

Discovery of the Lolly Bush

The Lolly bush was first written about by scientists in 1810. This happened in a book called Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae. The book was written by a very famous Scottish botanist named Robert Brown. He studied many plants. The first Lolly bush plants were collected during the famous voyage of Captain Cook's ship, the Endeavour.

Images for kids

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  Leaves of the Lolly bush near Mount Keira, Australia

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  White flowers of the Lolly bush

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  The shiny black fruits of the Lolly bush