Clerodendrum splendens - Flaming Glorybower

Flaming red flowers are really attractive. Then on closer look, a surprise presented itself in the form of an equally bright blue fruit and the promise of more. Red is also the colour of racing cars in my mind. Red is for speed and excitement and this weekend it is all happening at the F1 Grandprix 2008.

Clerodendrum splendens - Flaming Glorybower

I saw these brilliant flowers at their peak days ago from my car and told myself that I would have to photograph them before they wilted. Sadly I missed them when they were at their personal best, each of them. Not wanting to let go of the memory, I photographed them anyway. They have lost the pagoda-shape typical of these flowers but not the richness of the colour in the bright afternoon sun.

Origin: Western Africa