Common Name:

General Information

Vitex sellowiana is a semideciduous tree with a more or less rounded crown; it can grow 4 - 9 metres tall[]. The cylindrical bole can be 20 - 30cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for its wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - southern, eastern, central and northern Brazil.

Habitat

Atlantic rainforest on slopes and tablelands, occurring in dense primary forests and also in open secondary formations[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	7.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in sunny and shady positions[].
Newly planted young trees grow away moderately well[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is straight-grained, fine-textured, moderately heavy with a good resistance to wood-eating organisms[]. It is used for interior construction, stakes and poles[].
We have no more information on the wood for this species. However, we have a general description for the wood of S. American species of this genus, which is as follows:-
The heartwood is variable according to the species, ranging from yellowish-brown through deep brown, olive-green or olive-brown; it is usually not sharply demarcated from the whitish, yellow, or pale brown sapwood. The texture is rather fine to moderately coarse; the grain straight, sometimes irregular; lustre ranges from low to high; there is no distinctive odour or taste. A silica content of 0.76% is reported. Depending on the species, durability varies from moderately durable to very durable when exposed to a white-rot and brown-rot fungus. Actual field exposures show some species as durable and others as susceptible to attack by decay fungi and insects. Reports are also variable on seasoning, material from Panama had a moderate drying rate and no appreciable defects. The wood is easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though there is some tearing if grain is irregular; it takes a high polish. It is used for purposes such as furniture, millwork, veneer and plywood, general carpentry, mallet heads, chisel handles and flooring[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed[]. Germination rates are usually low, with the seed sprouting within 5 - 6 months[].

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