Vitex L.

Verbenaceae, B. Verdcourt. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1992

Morphology General Habit

Trees, shrubs or occasionally lianas, the stems mostly 4-angled, glabrous to densely hairy

Morphology Leaves

Leaves opposite or in whorls of 3, (1–)3–7-foliolate, mostly petiolate; leaflets entire, toothed or lobed, often glandular

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Cymes mostly dichasial, short and dense to open and spreading, sessile or pedunculate, the bracts often well developed; cymes sometimes aggregated into thyrsoid or lax panicles

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx campanulate to tubular, (3–)5(–6)-lobed or toothed or nearly truncate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla white and/or coloured, mostly shades of blue, lilac or mauve, ± zygomorphic; tube shortly cylindrical to long-tubular or ± funnel-shaped; limb spreading, ± 2-lipped, the upper lip 2-fid, the lower 3-fid

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 4, didynamous, inserted in the tube, mostly exserted

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary at first ± 2-locular, later usually 4-locular, with single ovule in each locule; style terminal, filiform, shortly bifid

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Drupes fleshy with hard 4-celled endocarp; fruiting calyx usually accrescent, plate-like or cupular

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds without endosperm.

de Kok, R. (2008). The genus Vitex (Labiatae) in the Flora Malesiana region, excluding New Guinea. Kew Bulletin 63: 17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-007-9013-7

Type

Type species: Vitex agnus-castus L.

Morphology General Habit

Trees, shrubs, rarely lianas

Morphology Leaves

Leaves (1 –) 3 – 5 (– 6) palmate, decussate; leaflets elliptic, apex rounded to acuminate, base cuneate, sometimes oblique, margin entire, seldom toothed or lobed, herbaceous; upper surface glabrous except on the veins; lower surface glabrous except with hairs on the veins to velutinous; venation pinnate, usually prominent below and sunken above; glands shortly stalked, on both surfaces; hairs simple, multicellular

Morphology Leaves Petiole

Petiole round to lateral flatted in cross-section

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence terminal or axillary, cyme or paniculate, axis round to flattened in cross-section; bracts morphological similar to leaves, persistent; bracteole triangulate, elliptic-linear, often not persistent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx (0 –) 4 – 5 lobed, campanulate, rarely two-lipped, usually accrescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla (4 –) 5 lobed, strongly to weakly two lipped, usually glabrous inside, lobes heteromorphic to isomorphic, apex emarginate to rounded to acute, hairs concentrated at corolla mouth and along centre of lip, tube base glabrous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Filaments 4, usually equal, glabrous but usually with hairs at base, inserted in middle to lower half of tube

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary globose, apex usually rounded, usually glabrous, sometimes wholly or only the apex covered with glands

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style usually straight, seldom with hooked apex, glabrous; stigma bifid, apex acute to acuminate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit fleshly, globose

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 4 (or less by abortion) per fruit.

Timothy M. A. Utteridge and Laura V. S. Jennings (2022). Trees of New Guinea. Kew Publishing. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Distribution

Approximately 250 species, mainly in the tropics, but with a few in temperate regions. Eight species occur in New Guinea (one with two subspecies) - seven species and one of the subspecies can be classified as trees. In this treatment the genus Viticipremna H.J.Lam has been included in Vitex.

Morphology General Habit

Shrubs or trees to 30 m, rarely lianas. Leaves palmately compound, (1–)3–5(–6)-foliolate, decussate; blade without conspicuous glands at base; short-stalked glands present on both surfaces; petioles not swollen at either end

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences terminal or axillary, cymose or paniculate; bracts leaf-like, persistent; bracteoles triangular, elliptic-linear, often not persistent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bilaterally symmetrical; calyx (0–)4–5-lobed, bell-shaped, rarely 2-lipped, usually enlarged (accrescent) in fruit; corolla white to purple, or yellow, 4–5-lobed, strongly to weakly 2-lipped, upper lip (1–)2-lobed, lower lip 3-lobed, the central lobe largest, or the lobes more or less equal, tube funnel-shaped or tubular, hairs concentrated at corolla mouth and along centre of lip, usually glabrous inside; stamens 4, usually equal, exserted, glabrous but usually with hairs at base, inserted at the middle to lower half of corolla tube, anthers with dorsifixed, divergent thecae; ovary 2–4-locular, usually glabrous, glands covering the entire surface or only the apex with glands, ovules 1 or 2 per locule, style terminal, stigma bifid, apex acute to acuminate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruits drupaceous, fleshly, globose, unlobed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 4 (or less by abortion) per fruit.

Ecology

Species of this genus are found growing in primary or secondary forest, including deciduous forests and savannah, and are very common in disturbed areas; from sea level to 1000 m.

Recognition

Vitex can be easily recognised by the opposite palmate leaves. The species V. cofassus Reinw. ex Blume usually has only 1 leaflet, but can be recognised as a Vitex by the small swollen node at the base of the leaflet.

Harley, R.M. et al. (2004). Labiatae, in The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants (K. Kubitzki, ed. in chief) VI: 167-275. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York.

Morphology General Habit

Trees or shrubs

Morphology Leaves

Leaves usually digitately compound with 3-8 leaflets but sometimes unifoliolate, sometimes in whorls

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence axillary or terminal, a dichasial cyme, sometimes compound into a thyrse or panicle, flower blue, yellow, white to purple

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx campanulate or tubular, 3-5-lobed, or truncate, actinomorphic to weakly 2-lipped

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla infundibular, zygomorphic, 5-lobed, 2-lipped, tube straight or curved

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 4, didynamous, attached near base of tube; usually exserted, thecae dorsifixed, divergent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pollen

Pollen 3-colpate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary bicarpellate, carpels 2-locular and 2-seeded

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style terminal with stigma-lobes short, equal

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit drupaceous, with hard pyrene, 4-seeded.

Note

2n = 12, 16.  Approximately 250 species

Distribution

In Old and New World tropics, few in temperate regions. Introduced to Southern U.S.A.

Flora Zambesiaca. Vol 8, Pt 7. Avicenniaceae, R. Fernandes. Nesogenaceae, M.A. Diniz. Verbenaceae, R. Fernandes. Lamiaceae, R. Fernandes. 2005.

Morphology General Habit

Shrubs or trees, more rarely scrambling lianes, deciduous or evergreen, bark smooth or vertically fissured Shrubs or trees, more rarely scrambling lianes, deciduous or evergreen, bark smooth or vertically fissured.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 4, didynamous, epipetalous, included or exserted from the corolla tube; filaments broadened at the base, glabrous or with glandular or eglandular hairs Stamens 4, didynamous, epipetalous, included or exserted from the corolla tube; filaments broadened at the base, glabrous or with glandular or eglandular hairs.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary initially c. 2-locular, later 4-locular, with a single ovule in each locule, gland-dotted or not, glabrous or apically hairy; style terminal, filiform, bifid, shortly or distinctly exserted ( V. schliebenii )

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit a drupe or a nut with a hard 4-locular endocarp; fruiting calyx firm and ± cupular to saucer-shaped below the drupe, or enlarged chartaceous campanulate about the nut Fruit a drupe or a nut with a hard 4-locular endocarp; fruiting calyx firm and ± cupular to saucer-shaped below the drupe, or enlarged chartaceous campanulate about the nut.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 1–4, oblong to obovoid, without endosperm. Seeds 1–4, oblong to obovoid, without endosperm.

Note

Often missing from field notes are details of leaf, flower and fruit colour – which changes at maturity and on drying Herbarium collections of the widespread, and usually polymorphic, African species (e.g. V. doniana, V. ferruginea, V. fischeri, V. madiensis, V. mombassae, V. payos) are abundant. In contrast the southern African taxa (V. zeyheri, V. obovata, V. harveyana) are less well represented and need further research to fully understand their variation. Often missing from field notes are details of leaf, flower and fruit colour – which changes at maturity and on drying. It is also very useful to have a description of the bark and general observations on the habit of the plant. Pieper treated the African species as belonging to two subgenera, namely the subgenera Vitex and Holmskioldiopsis , and such infrageneric classification is retained here.  Both subgenera are represented in the Flora Zambesiaca area with species 1–13 belonging to subgenus Vitex and species 14 and 15 to subgenus Holmskioldiopsis W. Piep.  Species 1 (and V. zanzibarensis and V. trifolia ) belong to section Vitex [ Terminales Briq.], and species 2–13 to section Axillares Briq. of the subgenus Vitex.

Distribution

A genus of more than 200 species, mainly in the Old and New World tropics and a few in temperate areas.  Earlier authors, such as Pieper (Africa) and Moldenke (global), recognized many more species than are generally accepted today.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves opposite, rarely in whorls of 3, digitately compound with (1)3–7 leaflets, usually petiolate; leaflets entire or variously dentate or crenate, often with yellow gland-dots and aromatic; petiolules present or absent. Leaves opposite, rarely in whorls of 3, digitately compound with (1)3–7 leaflets, usually petiolate; leaflets entire or variously dentate or crenate, often with yellow gland-dots and aromatic; petiolules present or absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences terminal or axillary, mostly of dichasial cymes, occasionally of cymes aggregated into lax panicles, slender or sturdy; bracteoles inconspicuous, linear, narrowly-lanceolate or narrowly-spathulate. Inflorescences terminal or axillary, mostly of dichasial cymes, occasionally of cymes aggregated into lax panicles, slender or sturdy; bracteoles inconspicuous, linear, narrowly-lanceolate or narrowly-spathulate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx hemispherical, campanulate or obconical, 5-lobed (4-lobed in V. schliebenii), toothed or truncate, persistent and ± accrescent in fruit. Calyx hemispherical, campanulate or obconical, 5-lobed (4-lobed in V schliebenii ), toothed or truncate, persistent and ± accrescent in fruit

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla ± zygomorphic (regular in V.schliebenii); tube usually creamy-white, straight or curved, shortly cylindrical to infundibuliform; limb blue lilac mauve or pale yellow (V. chirindensis), upper lip 2-lobed, lower lip 3-lobed, (limb 4-lobed in V.schliebenii), spreading, the lower-lip median lobe usually larger than the laterals and sometimes more strongly coloured. Corolla ± zygomorphic (regular in V. schliebenii ); tube usually creamy-white, straight or curved, shortly cylindrical to infundibuliform; limb blue lilac mauve or pale yellow ( V chirindensis ), upper lip 2-lobed, lower lip 3-lobed, (limb 4-lobed in V. schliebenii ), spreading, the lower-lip median lobe usually larger than the laterals and sometimes more strongly coloured

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary initially c. 2-locular, later 4-locular, with a single ovule in each locule, gland-dotted or not, glabrous or apically hairy; style terminal, filiform, bifid, shortly or distinctly exserted (>i>V.>i>schliebenii).

Harley, R.M. et al. (2004). Labiatae, in The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants (K. Kubitzki, ed. in chief) VI: 167-275. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York.

Morphology General Habit

Shrub or liana

Morphology Leaves

Leaves simple

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence terminal, in dichotomous or trichotomous cymes, flower white with yellow blotches on anterior lip

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx campanulate, entire or sinuate-lobate with lobes subequal

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla 5-lobed, 2-lipped

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 4, didynamous, inserted near base of tube, little exserted

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary 4-locular, each locule with 1 ovule, but with only one locule developing

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit a drupe with one pyrene, 1-seeded by abortion.

Note

One species, Paravitex siamica Fletcher

Distribution

Thailand.

Harley, R.M. et al. (2004). Labiatae, in The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants (K. Kubitzki, ed. in chief) VI: 167-275. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York.

Morphology General Habit

Trees or shrubs

Morphology Leaves

Leaves digitately compound, leaflets 3-6 (-7), usually petiolulate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence terminal, cymose, compound, much-branched, flower white to pale yellow

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx truncate or 4-lobed, persistent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla hypocrateriform, 4-lobed, ± 2-lipped, lobes sub-equal

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 4, inserted at base of tube, slightly exserted, thecae divergent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary bicarpellate, 4-locular, 1 ovule in each locule

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style terminal, with 2 short, unequal stigmatic lobes

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit a small drupe, pyrene hard, 4-celled.

Note

Five species

Distribution

Philippines to Celebes, New Guinea, Australia and Fiji.

Harley, R.M. et al. (2004). Labiatae, in The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants (K. Kubitzki, ed. in chief) VI: 167-275. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York.

Morphology General Habit

Tree or shrub

Morphology Leaves

Leaves simple, lobed or palmately trifoliolate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence axillary, cymose, lax, few-flowered, flower yellow

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx campanulate, 4-lobed, 2-lipped

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla infundibular, zygomorphic, 4-lobed, lobes subequal, weakly 2-lipped

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 4, equal in length, inserted at middle of tube, exserted

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary 2-locular, 1-2 ovules per locule

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style terminal with stigma lobes short, bifid

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit drupaceous, globose, remaining undivided.

Note

One species, Tsoongia axilliflora Merr.

Distribution

China to Southeastern Asia.