Vitex rotundifolia L. f.

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

4. Vitex rotundifolia L. f. , Suppl. Pl.: 294. 1782

Figs 16 , 17

Vitex trifolia var. simplicifolia Cham. , Linnaea 7: 107. 1832). Type: Philippines, Luzon, Cavite, Dec. 1817 – Jan. 1818, Chamisso s. n. (holotype: LE n. v.).

Vitex repens Blanco , Fl. Filip. 513. 1837. Type: Philippines, Luzon, Batangas, 11 Feb. 1915, Merr. Sp. Blanc. 814 (neotype: K [K 000182650], designated by Sengun et al. (2024)).

Type.

Japan, Thunb. s. n. (Hb. Thunb. 14619) (holotype: LINN-SM; isotype: UPS-THUNB [V- 125606]).

Description.

Prostrate, decumbent, or scandent shrub, usually below 1 m tall, sometimes creeping and spreading on the ground up to 4–5 m, rooting at the nodes. Leaves 1 - foliolate, round to obovate-spathulate, 0.9–5.1 by 0.5–3.7 cm, 1.3–2.8 as long as wide, base cuneate, apex rounded to subacute, margin entire; upper surface moderate yellow green (147 B), pubescent, especially at the midrib; lower surface grayish yellow green (191 B), velutinous, covered with whitish hairs obscuring the venation and areolation; secondary veins 4–7 pairs, slightly prominent on both surfaces; petioles, when present, up to 13 mm long. Inflorescence terminal, paniculate, 5.9–11.4 cm long axis, consisting of short dichasial cymes, often unbranched, in dense clusters, with the oldest central floret usually fertilized at maturity. Calyx 5 - lobed, velutinous, with appressed hairs, lobes 0.35–0.70 by 0.9–1.9 mm; flowering calyx 1.8–4.0 mm long, 2.2–3.6 mm diameter; fruiting calyx 4.1–5.4 mm diameter, covering up to 90 % of the fruit at maturity. Corolla 5 - lobed, pale purple, outside covered with appressed hairs; lower lip orbicular to broadly ovate, 3.0–6.10 by 2.9–6.5 mm, apex subacute, margin entire, two clear ridges at corolla mouth, often reflexed, deep violet (N 89 D) to strong violet (N 90 A), covered with white hairs at corolla mouth; tube 4.8–9.7 mm long, infundibular, light violet (N 91 A to N 1 B). Stamens with filaments 5.2–7.5 mm long, slightly didynamous, inserted 1 / 3 of the way on the corolla tube, exceeding the corolla mouth from 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of its length, anthers c. 2 mm long. Ovary 1–1.5 mm diameter, globose, glabrous, the upper half covered with glands; styles 6.0– 12.4 mm long, stigma 2 - lobed, lobes 0.3–1.5 mm long. Fruit when dried, black at maturity, globose, 3.7–5.5 by 4.1–5.4 mm.

Habitat and ecology.

Usually along coastal strands and seashores, on sandy beaches along with Ipomoea pes-caprae and forming dense mats below the thickets of Vitex trifolia in the upper beach, also on sand dunes, rocky beaches, and beach forest.

Phenology.

Flowering and fruiting all year round.

Distribution.

Widespread from Japan, Korea, and eastern coast of China to north and northeast coast of Australia and extending to the Pacific until Samoa and Fiji, absent from the central Pacific with only an isolated population in Hawaii. Indigenous all throughout the Philippines, particularly toward the island borders.

Vernacular names.

lagunding-dagat (Tagalog), lagunding-gapang (Tagalog), dungla (Tagalog), daldalaki (Ilokano), dangla-ti-baybai (Ilokano), bantige (Ilokano), agubarau (Bisaya).

Notes.

In Sengun at al. (2024), p. 115, Merrill Species Blancoanae 814 has been mistakenly identified as V. trifolia . It is indeed V. rotundifolia .

Documented uses (in the Philippines).

This species is rarely used for its medicinal properties, with the leaves being boiled or used in decoctions to treat cough.

Specimens examined.

Philippines. Batanes: Sabtang, 26 Mar 1961, E. Quisumbing et al. 79299 (PNH); Batan, Mt. Iraya, 20 Mar 1991, Barbon et al. 1581 (L. 4212461); Ilocos Norte: Laoag, Sta. Maria, Apr 1955, J. V. Santos 6267 (US 03805794); Laoag, 3 Jan 1965, Br. Alfred 93787 (PNH); Ilocos Sur: Tagudin, Aug 1909, R. C. McGregor 10072 (BR 0000034904954); Cagayan: Aparri, June 1902, E. D. Merrill 323 (US 03805761); Peñablanca, Baguio cove, 14 Apr 1981, M. S. Allen 150236 (L. 2768427); Isabela: Palanan, Palanan bay, June 1913, L. Escritor 21171 (US 03805797); Bataan: Limay, Lamao river, Sep 1904, T. E. Borden 1940 (US 03805793, E 01121261); Lamao, 1907, H. M. Curran s. n. (BO 1621593); Zambales: Subic, Sep 1903, H. Hallier 4230 (L. 2768419, L. 2768425); Sta. Cruz, Hermana Mayor Island, Dec 1954, J. V. Santos 6210 (L. 2768426, US 03805794); Sta. Cruz, Acoje Mining, Aug 1954, J. Yench 18928 (PNH); Central Luzon: Loher 4434 (US 03805799); Manila: 1914, Perrottet s. n. (L. 2768423); Batangas: Batangas City, San Pedro, Feb 1915, Merrill Sp. Blanc. 814 (US 00623757, BO 1359175); San Juan, Hugom, Oct 1946, M. D. Sulit 7440 (BR 0000034904947); Aurora: Dipaculao, Mijares (Gupa beach), May 1992, Stone et al. 5475 (L. 4212443); Quezon: Infanta, Sep 1904, H. N. Whitford 755 (US 03805755); Oriental Mindoro: Calapan, Apr 1903, E. D. Merrill 898 (US 03805798); June 1906, L. Mangubat 926 (US 03805759); Romblon: Magallanes, Mt. Giting-giting, Apr 1910, A. D. E. Elmer 12135 (L. 2768429, U. 1762519, US 03805796, E 01121262, BO 1621591); Camarines Norte: Daet, Marcedes, 1903, H. Hallier 4230 a (L. 2768421, L. 2768420); Sorsogon: Bulusan, near town, June 1958, J. Sinclair & G. Edaño 9673 (L. 2768422, US 03805795; E 01121264); Panay: Antique, Culasi, May-Aug 1918, R. C. McGregor 32477 (L. 2768418, BO 1359176); Samar: Capul, 27 Mar 1957, Y. Kondo & G. Edaño 36800 (PNH).

Figures

Figure 16. Morphological characteristics of V. rotundifolia 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 17. Natural distribution of Vitex rotundifolia in the Philippines.