Common Name:

General Information

Vitex gaumeri is a tree with a broad, spreading crown. It can grow from 10 - 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 tree is harvested from the wild for its wood.

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

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	20.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is very difficult to split. It is somewhat difficult to season, with a moderate amount of crook and checking[].
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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