The harlequin glorybower is an unlikely looking member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) that is native to China, temperate East Asia and the northern Philippines. The berries are white initially, changing to bright blue and eventually dark metallic blue when fully ripe. They are surrounded by bright pink sepals and contain a blue pigment called trichotomine when ripe. Heating the berries in water produces a blue dye that can be turned green by the addition of iron sulphate.
Next: Iris germanica (Bearded Iris)
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