Vitex trifolia

Short description: Species of shrub

Vitex trifolia

leaves, seeds (left), flowers (right)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:  | Plantae
Clade:  | Tracheophytes
Clade:  | Angiosperms
Clade:  | Eudicots
Clade:  | Asterids
Order:  | Lamiales
Family:  | Lamiaceae
Genus:  | Vitex
Species:  |

V. trifolia

Binomial name
Vitex trifolia

Vitex trifolia, the simpleleaf chastetree,[1] is a large coastal shrub or small tree.[2]

## Contents

* 1 Description
* 2 Distribution
* 3 Traditional medicine
* 4 References

## Description

Vitex trifolia is a large coastal shrub or small tree, less than 5 m in height with the stems covered by soft hairs (tomentose). The leaves are oppositely arranged along the stems and are usually compound, composed of three linear leaflets which range between 1 and 12 cm in length. The upper surfaces of the leaves are green and the lower surfaces are grayish green.

The flowers are born in panicles or clusters up to 18 cm in length. Individual flowers have purple to violet, two-lipped corollas that are about 5 mm long. The stamens are in two pairs and the ovary is superior, or develops above the corolla. The fleshy fruits are about 6 mm in diameter and contain four small, black seeds.

## Distribution

Vitex trifolia is naturally found along coastlines from tropical East Africa as far east as French Polynesia.

## Traditional medicine

The leaves are used to treat female ailments in the Cook Islands, and used to relieve fever in Samoa.[citation needed] Additionally in Samoa, the dried leaves are burned to deter mosquitos.[citation needed]

## References

1. ↑ "Vitex trifolia". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=VITR7.
2. ↑ "GRIN Species Records of Vitex". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?12733.

Details on Vitex trifolia

Wikidata ☰ Q29533 entry

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