Vitex bicolor Willd.

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

2. Vitex bicolor Willd. , Enum. Pl. 2: 660. 1809

Figs 12 , 13

Type.

‘ Habitat in India Orientale’, cult. Hort. Berlin from seeds sent by Klein (‘ Ind. 1797 ’), Herb. Willdenow 11709 (holotype: B-W [B 11709-010])

Description.

Shrub to small tree, 1–5 m high. Leaves (1 –) – 3 – (5) - foliolate; terminal leaflet elliptic to narrowly elliptic, 8.9–11.6 by 3.0– 3.5 cm, 2.7–3.5 times as long as wide, petiolules 0.8–1.4 cm long, secondary veins 14–18 pairs, moderate olive green above (N 137 A), light gray (N 191 C) to grayish yellow green (N 191) below; lateral leaflets 5.4–9.6 by 2.5–3.7 cm, 2.1–3.3 times as wide, petiolules 0.5–0.9 cm long, secondary veins 10–14 pairs; basal leaflets when present, 2.4–4.2 by 1.5–2.2 cm, 1.1–2.5 times as long as wide; basal petiolules absent; apex acute to acuminate, base acute to cuneate, margin entire; abaxial leaf surface highly pubescent, with tomentose white hairs; petiole 3.2–4.8 cm long, round in cross-section, covered with minute hairs. Inflorescence paniculate, axis c. 17.5 cm long, with primary branch at panicle base, consisting of lateral dichasial cymes in lax clusters attached to the panicle axis or basal primary branch, with the oldest central flower often fertilized at maturity, angular in cross-section, pubescent; bracteole triangular, c. 0.75 mm long. Calyx 5 - lobed, 5 - ribbed; lobes 0.2–0.6 by 0.6–1.0 mm, acute, velutinous; flowering calyx 1.5–1.7 mm diameter, fruiting calyx 2.5–3.6 mm diameter, covering up to 1 / 5 of the mature fruit. Corolla 5 - lobed, strong violet to light violet (N 88 B to N 88 C), outside covered with appressed hairs; lower lip broadly ovate to deltoid, 2.7–4.3 by 2.5–3.5 mm, apex acute, margin entire, often reflexed to patent, strong violet (N 89 B), purple and white at base, with white and purple hairs at corolla mouth; corolla throat inner diameter 1.7–2.4 mm; lateral lobes 1.2–1.7 by 1.2–1.9 mm, apex round, often reflexed to patent; upper lip 2 - lobed, lobes 1.0–1.8 by 1.0– 1.6 mm, apex rounded, often reflexed to patent, light violet (N 88 C); tube infundibular 5.0–6.0 mm long, light violet (N 88 C to N 88 D). Stamens strongly didynamous, shorter filaments 2.9–3.8 mm long, longer filaments 3.4–4.4 mm long, inserted c. 1 / 3 of the way on the corolla tube; anther 0.7–0.9 mm long. Ovary globose, glabrous; style 6.2–7.8 mm long; stigma lobes 0.3–0.6 mm long. Fruit brown to black when mature; dried ellipsoid to spherical, 5.2–5.8 by 4.3–5.6 mm, apex rounded, glabrous.

Habitat and ecology.

Along the seashore in beach, mangrove and littoral forests to hillsides along mountain slopes; also recorded in cultivation as hedge / fence and medicinal plant. Altitude: usually at sea level but extends up to 300 m.

Distribution.

Sri Lanka, South China: Hainan, Japan: Okinawa; Malesia: throughout, Australia: Queensland, Pacific: Tonga, Samoa and Marianas Islands. Indigenous throughout the Philippines.

Vernacular names.

lagundi (Tagalog, Bikolano, Bisaya), tulasi (Tagbanua, Palawan), pirabon (Palawan)

Notes.

This species is seldom utilized for its medicinal use in the Philippines.

Documented uses (in the Philippines).

Leaves for treating dengue, cough, fever; leaves applied as poultice against the forehead and / or temples as a febrifuge.

Specimens examined.

Philippines. Cagayan: Calayan, May 1961, E. Quisumbing & R. Del Rosario 79790 (PNH); Bataan: Limay, Lamao river, Nov 1903, R. S. Williams 185 (US 03805765); Sep 1904, T. Borden 2035 (US 03805781); Sep-Dec 1904, R. Meyer 2276 (US 03805783, BO); Aurora: Baler, Sep 1902, Merrill 1106 (US 03805785); Quezon: Burdeos, Karlagan, R. B. Fox 8991 (PNH); Botonan, Barbon et al. 2047 (L. 4216303); Oriental Mindoro: Puerto Galera, Minolo, Apr 1952, J. V. Santos 5258 (US 03805782, L. 2768221); Romblon: Magdiwang, Silum, May 1994, Reynoso 14138 (L. 4216134); Palawan: Taytay, 30 May 1913, Merrill Sp. Blanc. 302 (US 00699536, L. 2768328); Quezon, Ampaplot, Apr 1964, R. A. Espiritu 91477 (L. 2768220); Tabon, Nov 1963, E. J. Reynoso 87701 (PNH); Camarines Norte: Lagonoy, Commerson s. n. (P 00657557); Camarines Sur: Pasacao, Dalupaon, Apr 1901, Ahern 166 (BO); 1902, Ahern 814 (US 03805804); May 1902, Ahern 223 (US 03805780, BO); Masbate: 1904, Clark 2527 (US 01962875, BO); Guimaras: Nueva Valencia, Igdarapdap, June 1955, A. T. Taleon 34030 (PNH); Antique: Caluya, Kabilo, 300 m alt., Feb 1997, Romero 29662 (L. 4216249); Negros Occidental: Cauayan, Bulata, 50 m alt., Aug 1995, Madulid & Majaducon, 36097; Siquijor: Larena, Sandugan, 5–10 m alt., Oct 1998, Christenhusz 86 (U. 1762597); Samar: San Vicente, Medio Island, Mar 1957, Y. Kondo & G. Edaño 38739 (L. 2768219, PNH); Lanao del Norte: Aug 1926, F. Guerrero 30388 (E 01121263); Misamis Oriental: Jan-Feb 1913, D. P. Miranda 17976 (US 03805770); Davao del Sur: Davao City, Santa Cruz, Feb 1904, Copeland 691 (US 03805774); Sep 1909, Elmer 11999 (US 03805774, US 03805769, L. 2768222, BO, PNH); Padala, Jun 1905, R. S. Williams 2978 (US 03805777); Basilan: Jun 1911, Tarrosa 19553 (L. 2768223); Tawi-tawi: Mapun, Pamelican, Feb 1957, Y. Kondo & G. Edaño 39032 (PNH); Languyan, Birad-dali, May 1992, F. J. M. Gaerlan & E. C. Sagcal 10053 (L. 4216299).

Figures

Figure 12. Morphological characteristics of V. bicolor A branch with inflorescence B sixth fully unfolded leaf C abaxial leaf lamina surface D – F flower G inflorescence unit H – I immature fruit with and without calyx.

Figure 13. Natural distribution of Vitex bicolor in the Philippines.