Common Name:

General Information

Vitex mollis is a tree growing up to 18 metres tall, with stems around 6cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its edible fruit, which is consumed locally. The fruit is often sold in local markets[, ]. The plant has a long history of medicinal use in Mexico, where it is still often used, in addition it is also probably harvested for its wood[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern N. America - Mexico from Baja California. To Chihuahua and south to Oaxaca, Veracruz and Yucatán

Habitat

Dry scrubland and riparian vegetation, usually in stony soils; at elevations from 1,000 - 1,430 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, ]. Eaten fresh or mashed and mixed with sugar[]. The bluish-black, globose fruit is about 15 - 25mm in diameter[, , ].

An infusion of the leaves is used as a stimulating herbal tea, its taste is similar to that of China tea (Camelia sinensis)[].

Medicinal

Vitex mollis has a long history of medicinal use in Mexico, where it is still often used, especially as an antiinflammatory, analgesic and to treat dysentery, which gives an indication of its effectiveness in these cases[].

A decoction of the fruit and leaves is expectorant and is also used as a remedy for diarrhoea[, ]. It is also said to be used to regularize menstruation in women and is used against suffocation by scorpion bites.
The leaves, fruit and stem are also used to cure respiratory diseases and menstrual disorders[].

The leaves and stem are used in the treatment of dysentery[]

A decoction of the leaves is drunk and is also applied topically, to counteract the effects of scorpion bites or other poisonous animals. If papaya leaves (Carica papaya) are added to this decoction, then it is used as a poultice[]. Some people also add a garlic macerate locally[].
The cooked leaves are applied topically to rheumatic patients[].

A decoction of the bark is used as a treatment for stomach pain[].
A decoction of the bark, combined with the barks of Pithecellobium dulce, Lysiloma acapulcensis and Solanum nigrum is drunk as a remedy for diarrhoea[].

Both the root and the latex can be used as a purgative[].

Other Uses

We have no 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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