Common Name:

General Information

Vitex pinnata is an evergreen tree with a crown that is often spreading; it can grow up to 25 metres tall[]. The bole is often crooked, and up to 70 cm in diameter[].
The tree is an important local timber and provides a high quality charcoal. It is used as a pioneer tree in planting schemes to reclaim land infested with Imperata grass and it is one of the recommended species to plant along roadsides[].
Vitex pinnata has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia.

Habitat

Comparatively dry regions in lowland forest, especially in more open habitats, secondary forests and river banks. Occurs gregariously in secondary forest and is a pioneer species in Imperata cylindrica vegetation and recently burnt grasslands[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Vitex pinnata is common in comparatively dry regions in lowland forest, where it can be found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It is found in areas where the mean annual rainfall is within the range 590 - 1,500mm, and the mean annual temperature 20 - 32°c[].

Young trees grow moderately slowly, with a mean annual diameter increment of 0.6 cm and slightly over 1 cm in Myanmar and Java respectively. One year-old seedlings may reach 2 metres in height, mean annual height increment for the first 15 years after planting is about 1 metre[].
Planted trees start to flower after 11 - 12 years in Java[].
Planting should be done early in the rainy season. Generally at m x 3 metres , occasionally at 1 x 1 - 2 metres on very fertile soils[].
For charcoal production, stands planted at densities of 2,500 trees/ha have yielded 16 - 18 tonnes of charcoal in 4 years[].
Moderately fire resistant[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A decoction of the bark is used to treat stomach-ache[].

A poultice of the leaves is used to treat fevers and wounds[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree has been used in replanting schemes to reclaim imperata grasslands in Asia[]. It is one of the recommended trees in its native range for planting as a shade tree[].

Other Uses

The yellow-brown to dark-brown wood is fine-grained, heavy, very hard and durable[, , ]. The timber, though not commercially important due to its small dimensions, is favoured locally for construction, household goods, tool handles, boats and implements[, ].
The wood produces a high quality charcoal that is compatible and competitive with mangrove charcoal in international markets[].

Propagation

Seed - pre-soaking the seeds for 15 seconds in hot water stimulates and increases germination[]. Seeds start to germinate 10 - 40 days after sowing with a germination rate of 60 - 80%[].
Seed can be stored for 1 year after depulping[].
Under dense forest canopy germination is completely inhibited, but the seeds remain dormant and viable for more than 6 months. Seed under light shade differentiates into 2 fractions: one with seeds germinating within 2 months, the other with seeds remaining dormant and only germinating when exposed to full sunlight[].

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