Vitex trifolia L.

Gentallan Jr., Renerio P., Sengun, Seda, Bartolome, Michael Cedric B., Quiñones, Kristine Joyce O., Coronado, Nadine B., Borromeo, Teresita H. & Timog, Emmanuel Bonifacio S., 2024, The Vitex trifolia complex (Lamiaceae) in the Philippines, PhytoKeys 248, pp. 1-40 : 1-40

5. Vitex trifolia L. , Sp. Pl.: 638, 938. 1753

Figs 18 , 19

Type.

India, Herb. Linn. 811 / 7 (holotype: LINN)

Description.

Shrub, prostrate to erect, to small tree, up to 3 m high. Leaves (1 –) 3 - foliolate; elliptic to obovate or obovate-spatulate, grayish olive green (NN 137 A) to moderate olive green (N 137 A) above, light greenish gray (N 191 C) to light gray (N 191 D) below, terminal leaflet 3.0–8.6 by 2.1–4.5 cm, 1.9–2.9 times as long as wide, petioles 0.4–4.7 cm, base attenuate in compound leaves, cuneate to round in unifoliate leaves, terminal petiolules absent, secondary veins 9–12 pairs; lateral leaflets 1.5–6.4 by 0.6–2.5 cm, 1.3–2.7 times as long as wide, secondary veins 6–8 pairs, sessile. Inflorescence terminal, paniculate, 4.9–15.1 cm long axis, seldom with primary branch at panicle base, consisting of lateral dichasial cymes in lax clusters attached to the panicle axis or primary branch, with the oldest central flower often fertilized at maturity; bracteole linear, c. 1 mm. Calyx 5 - lobed, accrescent, persistent, with numerous glands; lobes 0.2–0.7 by 0.3–2.4 mm, acute, velutinous; flowering calyx 1.8–2.4 mm long, 1.5–3.2 mm diameter; fruiting calyx 2.5–4.9 mm diameter, covering up to 75 % of the mature fruit. Corolla 5 - lobed, pale purple, outside covered with appressed hairs; corolla throat inner diameter 2.8–4.0 mm; lower lip orbicular to broadly ovate, 1.9–5.4 by 2.2–5.6 mm, apex acute, margin entire, two clear ridges at corolla mouth, often reflexed, deep violet (N 89 D) to strong violet (N 90 A), white at base, with white hairs at corolla mouth; lateral lobes 1.9–2.8 by 2.4–3.1 mm, reflexed, apex rounded, brilliant violet (N 92 A to N 92 B); upper lip 2 - lobed, lobes 1.8–2.8 by 2.0– 2.9 mm, apex acute to rounded; tube infundibular 3.9–6.8 mm long, light violet (N 91 A to N 91 B). Stamens slightly didynamous, shorter filaments 3.0– 5.8 mm long, longer filaments 4.1–6.1 mm long, inserted c. 1 / 3 of the way on the corolla tube, exceeding 1.8–3.9 mm from the corolla tube, very light purple (85 C); anthers 0.6–1.1 mm long, light violet. Ovary globose, glabrous; style 7.1–9.6 mm long, light violet; stigma 2 - lobed, lobes 0.3–0.8 mm long. Fruit when young green with purple tinge, turning brown to black when mature; dried obovoid, 3.4–6.4 by 3.5–6.2 mm, apex truncated, glabrous with numerous glands.

Phenology.

Flowering and fruiting all year round.

Habitat and ecology.

Beaches, but sometimes occurring in thickets and waste places, can also be found in cultivation, particularly in home gardens as both ornamental and medicinal article. Altitude: Usually at sea level but rarely up to 685 (– 1500) m.

Distribution.

Widespread from India and Sri Lanka to Southern Japan and north and east coast of Australia and the Pacific Islands. Indigenous throughout the Philippines.

Vernacular names.

lagundi (Tagalog, Bikolano, Bisaya), lagunding-dagat (Tagalog).

Notes.

This species is seldom utilized for its medicinal properties.

Documented uses (in the Philippines).

Boiling / decoction of leaves for cough and fever; treating chickens; root decoction taken internally for malaria; seeds and fruit for poisonous and venomous animal bites such as snakes.

Specimens examined.

Philippines. Ilocos Norte: Burgos, Feb – Mar 1917, M. Ramos 27118 (BO 1616592); Ilocos Sur: Sugpon, Nov 1908, M. L. Merritt & F. W. Darling 14079 (L. 2768535); Mt. Province: Barlig, Kaleo, Mar 1914, Vanoverbergh 321 (L. 2768321); Bauko, 1000–1500 m alt., Vanoberbergh & Skent s. n. (BR 0000026253497 V); Bataan: Limay, Lamao, Oct 1905, H. M. Curran 5295 (BR 0000034904909); Manila: Tondo, Gagalangin, Loher 4436 (US 03805772); Batangas: San Juan, Laiya, Oct 1946, M. D. Sulit 7441 (PNH); Quezon: Guinayangan, Vidal 850 (L. 2768538); Atimonan, Aug 1904, H. N. Whitford 674 (03805776); Lucban, Mt. Banahaw, H. N. Whitford 988 (US 03805773); May 1907, Elmer 7877 (US 03805766, L. 2768533); Calauag, Kinamaligan, E. Canicosa 9784 (PNH); Agdangan, Ibabang Kinagunan, May 1976, R. T. Francisco 170836 (PNH); Occidental Mindoro: Lubang, Apr 1903, Merrill 957 (US 03805767); Lubang, Tilik, 685 m alt., 5 Jul 1996, Romero & Fuentes 37610 (L. 4212394); Camarines Norte: Daet, Marcedes, H. Hallier 4230 b (L. 2768536); Camarines Sur: Pasacao, Dalupaon, Ahern 255 (US 03805779); Pili, Carambola, May 1947, P. Convocar 2962 (PNH); Sorsogon: Irosin, Mt. Bulusan, Dec 1915, Elmer 15236 (L. 2768324, U. 1762516, US 03805771); Mar 1958, M. L. Steiner 1327 (PNH); Capiz: Jamindan, May 1918, G. Edaño 31523 (L. 2768539); Leyte: Tacloban, Utap, G. Frohne 39320 (PNH).

Figures

Figure 18. Morphological characteristics of V. trifolia A branch with inflorescence B sixth fully unfolded leaf C abaxial leaf lamina surface D – F flower G inflorescence unit H – I mature fruit with and without calyx.

Figure 19. Natural distribution of Vitex trifolia in the Philippines.