Common Name:

General Information

Vitex gaumeri is a tree with a broad, spreading crown. It can grow from 4 - 30 metres tall with the smaller specimens generally to the north of its range. The bole can be up to 75cm in diameter, with reports of some plants being 180cm in diameter[, , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood.
There may be some local threats to Vitex gaumeri from habitat loss but globally it is not considered to be significantly threatened when considering its large extent of occurrence; the number of known localities; and that it can grow in various types of vegetation. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2021)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

C. America - Nicaragua to southern Mexico

Habitat

Damp forests, often on limestone, occasional on pine ridges and in poor soil, sometimes in more open areas of secondary growth; at elevations from sea level to 600 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	20.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

The fruit has a sweet flavour[]. This report does not say that the fruit is edible, though many species in this genus do have edible fruits[].

Medicinal

The leaves are used in the treatment of asthma and colds[].

The plant (part not specified) is sometimes used in the treatment of conditions such as ulcers, abscesses and the bites of mosquitoes. It is said to serve as an antimalarial[].

Other Uses

The wood is tough[]. It is very difficult to split. It is somewhat difficult to season, with a moderate amount of crook and checking[]. The wood is used for the construction of carts, boats, and agricultural implements[].
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 -

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