Clerodendrum is a mostly tropical genus of over 400 species with 10 in Australia. This small tree grows up to 10 m and loves to grow in rocky sites, gorges, cliffs, floodplains and creek beds.
The brightly coloured fruit is not edible despite the common name Lolly Bush. Aborignal people knew water could be found where these trees grew and sticks were used to make fire by friction. The Lolly Bush is common in the red soil behind Broome’s coastal dunes and most species of native Clerodendrum get completely striped bare and defoliated by black-and white-caterpillars around February every year.
Society for Kimberley Indigenous Plants and Animals 