Smells like peanut butter

Years ago when I first visited the Flowering Bridge at Lake Lure I saw a tree with unique looking flowers. The sign said it was a peanut butter tree..harlequin glorybower and scientific name Clerodendrum trichotomum. It leaves do smell like peanut butter and it says online that the small fruit does also.

Fast forward a few years ago when I had visited the bridge again and posted a photo of the tree on my Facebook. My hiking friend PS remarked that she had this tree in her yard and she was always pulling out new starts as it multiplies like rabbits. So I went to her house and got two.


I planted them four years ago and this summer for the first time I can see buds forming. I can’t wait to share this flower here.

Yes, it is invasive and little trees have popped up all over, even on the other side of the house. It never had seeds or anything that I could see that a bird or the wind could relocate.

On a sad note, the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge was destroyed by Hurricane Helene back in September. The gardeners have made a small park at the former parking area to commemorate this former botanic garden. The area here is open to the public but across the driving bridge into Chimney Rock is still closed except for those who still have a livable home or working crews who are rebuilding the roads and landscape. It has been eight months. Progress is very, very slow even with work being done daily since the beginning of October. Hurts my heart every time I see videos or news stories.