Vitex cofassus
Reinw. ex Blume
Lamiaceae
Vitex monophylla K.Schum.
Common Name:
General Information
Vitex cofassus is a medium to large, deciduous tree growing up to 40 metres tall. The bole is usually without buttresses, though it is deeply and strongly fluted. It can up to 130cm in diameter[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
].
The wood is a much sought after and useful hardwood, it is exported in fairly large amounts from Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, mainly to Japan[
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Range
Southeast Asia - Indonesia to Papua New Guinea
Habitat
Locally co-dominant in lowland forest, where it can be found at elevations up to 2,000 metres[
].
Properties
Other Uses Rating |    |
Habit | Deciduous Tree |
Height | 30.00 m |
Growth Rate | Medium |
Pollinators | Insects, ?Bees |
Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
A plant mainly of the lowland moist tropics, though it can be found at elevations up to 2,000 metres[
]. It grows best in areas where the mean annual temperature is 22 - 28°c, the mean annual rainfall is in the range 1,500 - 3,500mm, and there are distinct wet and dry seasons[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
].
Requires a sunny position[
]. Grows well on dry limestone soils with clay to sandy soil textures[
].
Young trees grow moderately slowly[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
Trees can commence flowering and setting seed when around 5 years old[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
None known
Agroforestry Uses:
The tree is planted in shelterbelts[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
Other Uses
The wood is very strong and durable[
]. When freshly cut it has a leathery scent[
]. An excellent pale and dense, highly valued timber, it is used for house construction, boats, musical instruments and domestics utensils such as bowls and platters[
].
Propagation
Seed - best stored dry in airtight containers, when it should remain viable for at least a year[
]. Untreated, fresh seed usually has a germination rate of around 30%, this can be increased to around 70% if the seed is first soaked for 10 minutes in hot water at 70°c and then allowed to soak for 24 hours in warm water before sowing[
]. Sow the seeds in a nursery seedbed, covering with about 1cm of soil[
]. Germination usually takes 10 - 40 days. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 3 - 4 months later[
].
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