KEW BULLETIN VOL. 63: 17–40 (2008)
The genus Vitex (Labiatae) in the Flora Malesiana region, excluding
New Guinea
Rogier de Kok
Summary. A revision of the genus Vitex is presented for the Flora Malesiana region excluding New Guinea. A key to
all 16 species and two subspecies for the Flora Malesiana is provided. Descriptions are given of species, notes on
ecology, distribution, local uses, vernacular names and conservation status are given for all species from the Flora
Malesiana region which were not included in the species treatment for New Guinea, and those that were included
in the latter treatment are usually expanded. Vitex medusaecalyx H. J. Lam, V. siamica F. N. Williams and V. vestita
Wall. ex Walp. are lectotypified in this paper and 18 names are placed into synonymy for the first time. Seven
names are treated as doubtful names and 35 names are excluded from the present definition of the genus.
Key Words. Flora Malesiana, Labiatae, nomenclature, typification, Vitex.
Introduction
The genus Vitex L. is comprised of about 300 species
almost all occurring in the tropics. A substantial
proportion of the genus occurs in South-East Asia,
and seems to be particularly rich in species and
morphological variation on the South-East Asian
mainland. The genus is widespread in Eastern Malesia
and the Pacific, but the number of species decreases
sharply south and west from New Guinea. Members of
the genus are common in swamps and primary
rainforests and are often prominent in secondary,
coastal or fire-influenced vegetations or the drier
evergreen forests in parts of Java (Whitten et al.
1996) and the monsoon forest in the Philippines
(Oldfield et al. 1998).
The genus has never been revised in full. For
South-East Asia, the genus was dealt with in the now
largely outdated revisions by Lam (1919) and Lam &
Bakhuizen van den Brink (1921). The species from
New Guinea and the Pacific are dealt with in de Kok
(2007) and in this paper; those species which have
been treated in the New Guinea paper are only
cursorily treated. In the last 50 years many new names
were created and many species, which were originally
placed in Vitex have now been placed either in
Teijsmanniodendron Koord. or Viticipremna H. J. Lam
(Munir 1985). This has resulted in the many excluded
names given at the end of this paper. However,
generic delimitation between the genera Premna L.,
Teijsmanniodendron, Viticipremna and Vitex remains
problematic (Large & Mabberley 1995; Mabberley
1998; Mabberley & de Kok 2004), and in this study a
practical approach has been taken. Vitex is accepted
here as having palmate leaves, always with more than
one leaflet (when only one leaflet is present then two
leaflet scars on the petiole are always clearly present)
and usually five corolla lobes (see de Kok 2007).
Throughout the Flora Malesiana region the timber
of most of the larger tree species is used in house and
boat building and in making of tools, weapons and
kitchen utensils. A number of species (in particular
Vitex trifolia L. and V. negundo L.) are extensively used
and grown for both medicinal use and for ornamentation. Common vernacular names in Malay and
Bahasa Indonesia are “Leban” and “Halaban” and
on Borneo “Kulimpapa”.
Vitex altissima L. has been recorded from both Java
and Sumatra (Rajendran & Daniel 2002). Most of
these are undoubtedly planted trees (usually at the
Bogor Botanical Garden) but for some specimens this
is less clear. During this study no unambiguous wild
specimens of V. altissima have been found within the
Flora Malesiana region and the species is therefore
excluded from this study. The species is easily
recognisable by the broad wings on the petiole which
are absent in all other species of Vitex in the region.
Materials and Methods
This study has been largely based on the examination of
herbarium specimens from the following herbaria: BM,
BO, BKF, CANB, K, KEP, L, LINN, MEL, NSW, NY, P,
Accepted for publication October 2007.
1
Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, UK. e-mail: r.dekok@kew.org
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
18
SAN, SING, TCD, UPS and US. Photographs of type
material from LE, UPS-THUNB and NY were also
examined. In the descriptions the indumentum is
characterised as: ‘glabrous’ when without any hairs or
with just a few occasional hairs; ‘sparsely hairy’ when
showing more underlying leaf surface than hairs;
‘densely hairy’ when showing less underlying surface
than hairs; and ‘velutinous’ in which the underlying
surface is completely covered with hairs. Bracts are
defined in this study as leaf-like structures subtending an
KEW BULLETIN VOL. 63(1)
inflorescence, a bracteole is a leaf-like structure on the
inflorescence. All colours mentioned are of mature
structures, unless stated otherwise. All collections cited
have been seen by the author unless indicated otherwise. The cited specimens represent not only the typical
form of the species, but also more extreme forms
(sometimes formally described), and the intermediates
between them. For hairs and inflorescence types see de
Kok (2007). In the descriptions the ratio is defined as
the length of the object divided by the width.
Key to Vitex Species in the Flora Malesiana Area
1. Inflorescences cymose........................................................................................................................................................2
1. Inflorescences paniculate...................................................................................................................................................9
2. Inflorescences terminal and large (usually longer than bract); lower leaf surface glabrous with a distinct patch of
hairs in the axils between midrib and the secondary veins only; corolla white to yellow or blue, with a clear
distinctly bigger lip............................................................................................................................................4.V. glabrata
2. Inflorescences axillary, seldom terminal, small (usually shorter than bract); lower leaf surface glabrous or evenly
hairy or hairs on the veins only; corolla yellow with relatively small and sometimes isomorphic lobes...............3
3. Leaves 1-foliolate with a small thickening in the petiole just below the leaf; endemic to North Sumatra…..............
......................................................................................................................................................................15.V. vansteenisi
3. Leaves 3-foliolate without a small thickening in the petiole just below the central leaflet.........................................4
4. Bracteoles > 5 mm long; often persistent at least in flowering stage.............................................................................5
4. Bracteoles < 3 mm long; seldom persistent......................................................................................................................6
5. Bracteoles lanceolate; flowering calyx lobes 4 – 5 mm long; endemic in Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand............
.......................................................................................................................................................................5.V. longisepala
5. Bracteoles elliptic; flowering calyx lobes 2.5 – 4 mm long; endemic to Sarawak..........................................2. V. flava
6. Corolla lobes 4; endemic to North Sumatra......................................................................................6.V. medusaecalyx
6. Corolla lobes 5.....................................................................................................................................................................7
7. Leaves glabrous or with some hairs on the veins; calyx with 2 – 4 lobes (one enlarged upper lobe and 1 – 3
smaller lower lobes)..................................................................................................................................3.V. gamosepala
7. Leaves glabrous to densely hairy; calyx with 5 usually isomorphic lobes......................................................................8
8. Flowering calyx lobes isomorphic; 2.5 – 5 mm long....................................................................................16.V. vestita
8. Flowering calyx lobes usually not isomorphic, 1 – 2 mm long; endemic to Peninsular Malaysia..............7.V. millsii
9. Leaves 1-foliolate with a distinct circular scar on the petiole beneath the only leaflet...........................1.V. cofassus
9. Leaves (1 –) 3 – 6 foliolate and without a circular scar on the petiole beneath the leaflets....................................10
10. Second and higher order bracteoles leaf-like and clavate, > 6 mm long (in some old collections bracteoles may
be absent); hairs on leaves yellowish when dry............................................................................................10.V. pinnata
10. Second and higher order bracteoles scale-like, triangular to linear, < 5 mm long; hairs on leaves when present
whitish when dry..........................................................................................................................................................11
11. Climber or small tree (up to 3 m high); corolla lobes more or less isomorphic; endemic to New Guinea.........
.................................................................................................................................................................12.V. scandens
11. Tree or shrub; corolla lobes differentiated into a distinct bigger lip and smaller side and back lobes.....................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................12
12. Corolla lip < 2 mm long and flowering calyx < 2 mm diameter; ovary apex velutinous; endemic to limestone
outcrops in Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand...........................................................................................13.V. siamica
12. Corolla lip > 2 mm and flowering calyx > 1.5 mm diameter; ovary glabrous or seldom with a few hairs at apex.....
.......................................................................................................................................................................................13
13. Fruiting calyx flattened not enclosing fruit; trees > 4 m tall; lower leaf surface glabrous with veins usually covered
with appressed hairs............................................................................................................................................................14
13. Fruiting calyx partly enclosing fruit; small trees and shrubs 1 – 4 (8) m tall; lower leaf surface velutinous.............
.......................................................................................................................................................................................15
14. Inflorescence glabrous or if moderately to densely hairy then mature calyces clearly less hairy than the inflorescence
apex.....................................................................................................................................................................9.V. parviflora
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
THE GENUS VITEX (LABIATAE) IN THE FLORA MALESIANA REGION, EXCLUDING NEW GUINEA
19
14. Inflorescence moderately to densely hairy and mature calyces always as velutinous as the inflorescence apex..................
....................................................................................................................................................................................11.V. quinata
15. Fruit spherical with a rounded apex and only covered about 50% or less by the calyx; glands present on calyx surface;
leaves always with entire margins; inflorescence paniculate consisting of side cymes in lax clusters...............................
.................................................................................................................................................................................14.V. trifolia
15. Fruit ellipsoid with truncated apex and almost completely covered by the calyx; glands absent or few on calyx surface;
leaves sometimes with toothed margins; inflorescence paniculate consisting of side cymes in dense clusters...............
................................................................................................................................................................................8.V. negundo
Vitex L. (1753: 638). Type species: Vitex agnus-castus L.
Mailelou Rheede ex Adans. (1763: 12 & 200). Type:
Hort. Mal. 5. (1685) t. 1 = Vitex altissima L.
Limia Vand. (1788: pl. 3, fig. 21). Type species:
unknown: = Vitex sp.
Allasia Lour. (1790: 85). Allazia Silva-Manso (1836: 36).
Type species: A. payos Lour. = Vitex payos (Lour.) Merr.
Tripinna Lour. (1790: 359 & 391). Type species: T.
tripinnata Lour. = Vitex tripinnata (Lour.) Merr.
Chrysomallum Thouars (1806: 8). Type species: C.
madagascariense Thouars ex Steud. = Vitex chrysomallum
Steud.
Wallrothia Roth (1821: 317) [non Wallrothia Spreng.].
Type species: W. articulata Roth = Vitex pinnata L.; W.
leucoxylon Roth = Vitex leucoxylon L. f.
Ephialis Banks & Sol. ex A. Cunn. (1838: 461); Ephielis
Banks & Sol. ex Seem. (1866: 189); Ephialum Banks
& Sol. ex Airy Shaw (1966: 409). Type species: E.
pentaphylla Bank & Sol. ex A. Cunn. = Vitex lucens
Kirk
Casarettoa Walp. (1845: 91 – 92). Type species: C.
mollisima Walp. = Vitex polygama Cham.; C. diversifolia
Walp. = Vitex triflora Vahl.
Rapinia Montr. (1860: 243) [non Rapinia Lour.]. Type
species: Rapinia collina Montr. = Vitex collina
(Montr.) Beauvis.
Agnus-castus Carrière (1870: 415). Types species: A.
incisa Carrière = Vitex negundo L.; A. negundo
Carrière = Vitex negundo L.
Pistaciovitex L. ex Kuntze (von Post & Kuntze 1903:
442). Type species: Pistaciovitex pinnata (L.) Kuntze =
Vitex pinnata L.
Neorapinia Moldenke (1955: 225); Mabb. (1998: 313 –
317). Type species Rapinia collina Montr. = Vitex
collina (Montr.) Beauvis.
Trees, shrubs, rarely lianas. Leaves (1 –) 3 – 5 (– 6)
palmate, decussate; leaflets elliptic, apex rounded to
acuminate, base cuneate, sometimes oblique, margin
entire, seldom toothed or lobed, herbaceous; upper
surface glabrous except on the veins; lower surface
glabrous except with hairs on the veins to velutinous;
venation pinnate, usually prominent below and sunken above; glands shortly stalked, on both surfaces;
hairs simple, multicellular. Petiole round to lateral
flatted in cross-section. Inflorescence terminal or
axillary, cyme or paniculate, axis round to flattened
in cross-section; bracts morphological similar to
leaves, persistent; bracteole triangulate, elliptic-linear,
often not persistent. Calyx (0 –) 4 – 5 lobed,
campanulate, rarely two-lipped, usually accrescent.
Corolla (4 –) 5 lobed, strongly to weakly two lipped,
usually glabrous inside, lobes heteromorphic to isomorphic, apex emarginate to rounded to acute, hairs
concentrated at corolla mouth and along centre of
lip, tube base glabrous. Filaments 4, usually equal,
glabrous but usually with hairs at base, inserted in
middle to lower half of tube. Ovary globose, apex
usually rounded, usually glabrous, sometimes wholly
or only the apex covered with glands. Style usually
straight, seldom with hooked apex, glabrous; stigma
bifid, apex acute to acuminate. Fruit fleshly, globose.
Seeds 4 (or less by abortion) per fruit.
1. Vitex cofassus Reinw. ex Blume (1826: 813). Vitex
cofassus var. α typica H. J. Lam (1919: 172 – 175). Type:
[Indonesia] Insulis Moluccauis, (lectotype, Rumph.
Herb. Amb. 3 (1750) t. 14 B (selected by de Kok
2007)).
For a description and more information see de Kok 2007.
DISTRIBUTION. Indonesia: Sulawesi, Moluccas, Aru
Islands, West Papua; Papua New Guinea, Solomon
Islands, Caroline Islands: Koror Island (see de Kok
2007).
VERNACULAR NAMES (widespread or unpublished ones
only): English: New Guinea teak. Indonesia: Goefasa
(Indonesian); Celebes: Nau-nau (Palopo), Wanasa
(Boeloekoemba bb 8579). Aru Islands: Alaua (Kobroor
village). Halmahera: Ogofase mabedeka (Tobaro
language, de Vogel 4462). Moluccas, Morotai: Gowaha
(Tanghilisan 239).
Additional specimens to de Kok 2007
INDONESIA: Morota, Tabelo, North Totokoe, 12 July
1949, Tangkilisan 239 (L); Halmahera, Central part,
Akelamo Abo, 7 Dec. 1974, de Vogel 4462 (L); Sulawesi,
Boeloekoemba, Tanaberoe, 12 Jan. 1925, Boschproefstation bb 8579 (L).
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
KEW BULLETIN VOL. 63(1)
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2. Vitex flava Ridl. (1929: 261 – 262). Type: [Sarawak]
Borneo, path to Tegora, 20 Dec. 1892, Haviland 2025
(holotype K!).
whitish tip. Fruit, fresh bright yellow; dried 0.7 –
1.3 cm diameter; globose, apex flattened.
DISTRIBUTION. Only known from a few collections from
Small tree, 5 – 12 m tall, 30 – 50 cm DBH. Bark
smooth, pale brown to dark grey. Leaves 3-foliolate;
central leaflet elliptic, 13.5 – 17 × 7 – 10 cm, ratio 1.7 –
2; side leaflets 9 – 14 × 4 – 7 cm, ratio 2 – 3; apex acute
to acuminate, base cuneate, sometimes oblique,
glabrous except on the veins, young leaves reddish,
8 – 10 secondary veins, glands many. Petiole 6.5 –
8 cm long, round to laterally flattened in cross-section;
hairs few, brown, erect; petiolules 3 – 4.2 cm long.
Inflorescence axillary, dichasia, compound, axis 1.4 –
2 cm long, flattened in cross-section; hairs few to
moderate, appressed; glands many; bracteoles ellipticlanceolate, up to 10 mm long, glabrous, often not
persistent. Calyx 5-lobed, accrescent, (pale) green,
hairs sparsely, erect; glands many; flowering calyx
lobes 2.5 – 4 × 2 – 2.2 mm, apex acute, erect; fruiting
calyx lobes 2.5 mm long, patent. Corolla 5-lobed,
(bright) yellow, covered outside with glands; lobes
almost isomorphic, c. 2 × 1.5 mm, apex rounded to
acute; tube c. 5 mm long. Filaments c. 3 mm long,
inserted in lower half of tube, yellow; anther c.
1.5 mm long, pale yellow to brown. Ovary c. 1.5 mm,
globose, apex rounded, glabrous, apex covered with
glands. Style c. 5.5 mm long, apex hooked, yellow to
white; stigma c. 0.8 mm long, apex acuminate with
Map 1. Distribution of Vitex flava ( ) and V. gamosepala ( ).
▪
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
•
Sarawak (see Map 1).
ECOLOGY. Reported to grow along paths and on ridges
at c. 500 m altitude. Soil: rich humus or clayey sand.
Flowering from May to December. Fruiting from July
to December.
VERNACULAR NAME. Kepapar (Iban language; Chai S.
39425).
CONSERVATION STATUS. This species must be considered as very rare. Only five collections are known,
while relatives from similar habitats from the same area
have been collected in abundance. Given that it has very
few known localities and that Sarawak has gone through
an extensive period of deforestation a conservation
rating of vulnerable (VUB1) is proposed (IUCN 2001).
NOTES. Vitex flava seems to be closely related to the
Peninsular Malaysian species V. longisepala King &
Gamble (see also Ridley 1929), but has more glabrous
leaves with smaller bracts and a corolla, which is
covered with glands rather than hairs. V. flava is
endemic to Sarawak and is often confused with V.
vestita Wall. ex Walp. (see Table 1).
Additional collection seen:
MALAYSIA: Sarawak: Kapit, Pelagus, 8 July 1979, Lee
S.40611 (KEP, SAN); Lambir Nat. Park, 10 May 1978,
Chai S. 39425 (KEP); Lambir Nat. Park, 21 Sept. 1978,
THE GENUS VITEX (LABIATAE) IN THE FLORA MALESIANA REGION, EXCLUDING NEW GUINEA
21
Table 1. Morphological differences in the Vitex flava species complex.
No. of
leaflets
Leaf hairiness
V.
V.
V.
V.
V.
V.
V.
flava
gamosepala
longisepala
medusaecalyx
millsii
vansteenisi
vestita
Glabrous
Glabrous
Moderately
Glabrous to
Glabrous to
Glabrous to
Glabrous to
moderately
moderately
moderately
densely
3
3
3
3
3
1
3
Bracteole
length
Calyx
lobes
Fruiting
calyx
Calyx
lobes apex
Long
Short
Long
Short
Short
Short
Short
Isomorphic
Heteromorphic
Isomorphic
Isomorphic
Heteromorphic
Heteromorphic
Almost isomorphic
Patent
Erect
Erect to Patent
Erect
Patent
Erect
Patent
Acute
Rounded
Acute
Acute
Acute
Acute
Acute to rounded
Rena George S. 40335 (K); Kapit, Sungai Selubak, 10
Nov. 1974, Othman et al. S. 41338 (K, KEP, SAN).
3. Vitex gamosepala Griff. (1854: 178 – 179, Pl. 448,
Map 2). Type: [Malaysia] Malacca at Ching Rgingull,
Griffith 6065 (holotype K!; isotype NY!).
Vitex gamosepala var. scortechinii King & Gamble (1909:
856); H. J. Lam (1919: 210). Types: Malaysia, Perak,
Scortechini s.n. (syntypes, K! K! K!); Perak, Bujong
Malacca, Ridley 9725 (syntype ?); Perak, Tapa,
Batang Padang, Wray 108[0] (syntype K); Perak,
Gunong Batu Dateh, lower camp, 3400 ft, Wray 992
(syntype K!); Perak, Gunong Batu Dateh, lower
camp, Wray 1080 (syntype K!); Negri Sembilan,
Serembau, Dec. 1898, Ridley 10096 (syntype K!);
Indonesia, Sumatra, Forbes 3060 (syntype BM!).
synon. nov.
Vitex gamosepala var. kunstleri King & Gamble (1909:
856 – 857). Types: Malaysia, Perak, at Ulu Bubong,
King’s collector 10605 (syntype K!); Malaysia, Trengganu, at Bunda, Rostado (Herb. Ridley 11982) (syntype K!); [Indonesia] Sumatra, Forbes 2685 (syntype?).
Vitex gamosepala var. α typica H. J. Lam (1919: 210).
Types: Malay Penisula, Griffith 6065 (syntypes K!
NY!); Malay Penisula, Maingay 1202 (syntypes K! L!).
Vitex neglecta H. J. Lam var. α puberula H. J. Lam in H. J.
Lam & Bakh. (1921: 63). Type: [Indonesia] Sumatra,
Bencoolen, Rimbo pengadang, 16 June 1916, Jacobson 182 (holotype BO! Pictures at K! & NY!).
Vitex neglecta H. J. Lam var. β glabior H. J. Lam in H. J.
Lam & Bakh. (1921: 63). Type: [Indonesia] Suma-
Map 2. Distribution of Vitex longisepala ( ) and V. parviflora ( ).
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© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
22
KEW BULLETIN VOL. 63(1)
tra, Indrapura, Tapan, Jacobson 2675 (syntypes BO!
BO! Pictures at K! & NY!).
Tree (rarely liana) 4 – 20 m high, (3 –)10 – 45 cm
DBH. Bark smooth, (dark) white to grey brown, slash
yellowish-brownish or brown, wood whitish-yellowish.
Leaves 3-foliolate; central leaflet elliptic to narrowly
elliptic, 8 – 15 × 3.5 – 7.5 cm, ratio 2 – 3, side leaflets
7.5 – 11 × 2.4 – 3.1 ratio 2.3 – 3; apex acuminate, base
cuneate, sometimes slightly oblique, glabrous, rarely
moderately hairy, whitish-green beneath, young leaves
dirty purple or bronze, 6 – 10 secondary veins; glands
few to many, yellowish. Petiole 5.5 – 8 cm, round in
cross-section, few erect hairs, glands few to many;
petiolules 1.5 – 4 cm long, few erect hairs. Inflorescence axillary, dichasia, axis 0.2 – 1 cm long, round to
flattened in cross-section; glabrous to sparsely hairy,
erect to patent; glands few to many; bracteoles
triangular to linear, less than 2.5 mm long, moderately
ciliate, often not persistent. Calyx 4-lobed, 2-lipped,
upper lip 0.2 – 0.5 mm long; lower lip 3-lobed and its
length ⅔ – ½ of upper lobes, not accrescent, apex
rounded to acute, (light) green, hairs few, always
erect; glands many. Corolla 5-lobed, (bright) yellow,
covered outside with glands; lip 1.5 – 5 × 1 – 3.5 mm,
spathulate, apex round, margin entire, patent; side
lobes reflexed, 1.5 – 2 × 1 – 2 mm, apex round; back
lobes 1.5 – 4 × 1 – 4 mm, apex round, fused up to 50%,
erect; tube 4 – 10 mm long. Filaments 4 – 7 mm long,
inserted in middle part of tube, white. Ovary c. 1 mm
diameter, glabrous, apex covered with glands. Style 5 –
12 mm long, only slightly exceeding the corolla tube;
stigma 0.5 – 0.8 mm long. Fruit, fresh ellipsoid, c. 8 mm
diameter; purple black or dark brown; dried 4 – 5 × 5 –
6 mm ellipsoid to globose, apex rounded.
DISTRIBUTION. Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia,
Indonesia: North Sumatra (see Map 1).
HABITAT AND ECOLOGY. Primary and secondary forest,
both deciduous and evergreen. Soil yellow-red loam or
clay, sometimes over limestone or acidic rock, at 30 –
730 (– 1800) m altitude. Flowering from July to August.
Fruiting from August to April.
VERNACULAR NAMES. Selangor: Kayu Hinai Bukit
(Temuan; Gadeh anak Umbai 1753); North Sumatra:
Belulang (Wiriadinata & Maskuri 539).
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least concern.
DISCUSSION. This species was previously erroneously
recorded to occur in Borneo (Lam & Bakhuizen van
den Brink 1921). However, in this study all specimens
from Borneo which were orginally thought to belong to
this species, have now been placed into either Vitex vestita
or V. flava.
Selected specimens (100 seen).
MALAYSIA: Genting, 16 Jan. 1979, Kochummen 26577
(K, KEP); Pahang, Sungai Tahan, 22 Feb. 1968, Shah
1398 (K, L); Pahang, Balok F.R., 3 Sept. 1966, Ding
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
Hou 761 (K, L); Selangor, Ulu Klang, Ampang, 1 Sept.
1959, Gadeh anak Umbai 1753 (K); Selangor, Ulu
Langat, 7 Sept. 1917, Boden Kloss s.n. (K). INDONESIA:
Sumatra, Mt Tigapulu, 4. Nov. 1988, Burley et al. 1155
(CANB, K, KEP, NY); Sumatra, Atjeh, Gunung Leuser
Reserve, 8. Aug. 1979, de Wilde & de Wilde-Duyfjes 19581
(K, L). Sumatra, Bukit lawang, 30 Jan. 1980, Wiriadinata
& Maskuri 539 (BO, K).
THAILAND: Ranong prov., Khlong Naka, 22 June 1974,
Geesink et al. 7390 (K).
4. Vitex glabrata R. Br. (1810: 512); Munir (1987: 44 –
52); Daniel & Rajendran (1995: 601 – 602); de Kok
(2007). Type: Australia, Groote Eylandt, (Bennets 2319)
Brown s.n. (lectotype: MEL!; isolectotype: BM! MEL!
designated by Munir (1987)).
Vitex bombacifolia Wall. ex Walp. (1845: 86); Munir
(1987: 44 – 52); Daniel & Rajendran (1995: 601 –
602). Vitex glabrata var. bombacifolia (Wall. ex Walp.)
Moldenke (1937: 2). Vitex glabrata f. bombacifolia
(Wall. ex Walp.) Moldenke (1979b: 329). Types:
Wallich Cat. 1749.1 HBC (= Calcutta Botanic Gardens) (syntypes CAL (n.v.), K-W!); Goyalpara (=
Assam, Goalpara), 10 May 1807, Wallich Cat. 1749.2
(syntypes K-W!); Lyhing, D. Noton (Wallich Cat. 1749.
D) (syntype K-W!).
Vitex pentaphylla Merr. (1909: 320). Types: Philippines,
Mindanao, Siocon R., distr. of Zamboanga, Feb.
1908, Whitford & Hutchinson 9490 (syntypes PNH
(n.v), K! US!); Philippines, Mindanao, Siocon R.,
distr. of Zamboanga, March 1908, Hutchinson 11245
(syntypes PNH (n.v.), US!); Mindanao, Santa Cruz,
16 June 1905, Williams 2949 (syntypes PNH (n.v),
NY! US!).
Vitex nitida Merr. (1912: 343). Type: Philippines,
Mindanao, Tanob, Prov. Misamis, 7 May 1911,
Klemme 19546 (syntype K! PNH (n.v.)).
For a description and more information see de Kok
2007.
DISTRIBUTION. From Northern Australia via New Guinea
and Indonesia to India and Cambodia (see de Kok 2007).
ECOLOGY. Widespread, but seldom a common tree of
rainforest or forest in seasonally inundated swamps
and/or along rivers and streams at 0 – 750 (– 900) m
altitude. Soil: Sandy clay. Flowering in August to May;
fruiting from August to March (– July).
The flowers are visited by bees (van Balgooy 2306).
VERNACULAR NAMES (unpublished ones only). Indonesia:
Java: Banges (Koorders 27046b). South Central Timor:
Kle’o (Walsh 214). North Sulawesi: Wolato bungango
(Church & Ismail 28). Malaysia: Meroko (Meh 17872).
USES. The fruits are eaten on Timor (Walsh 214).
Additional specimens to de Kok 2007
INDONESIA: Timor, South Central, 16 April 1929, Walsh
214 (BM, BO); Java, Banjoemas, Noesa Kembangan, 20
Jan. 1897, Koorders 27046b (L); Sulawesi, Hungayono,
THE GENUS VITEX (LABIATAE) IN THE FLORA MALESIANA REGION, EXCLUDING NEW GUINEA
8 km NE of Desa Tulabolo, 18 Aug. 1991, Church &
Ismail 28 (CANB, K, NY). MALAYSIA: Kedah, Katumbah,
22 April 1929, Meh 17872 (K); Langkawi Islands,
Bumbon Besar, 19 Feb. 1975, van Balgooy 2306 (L, NY).
5. Vitex longisepala King & Gamble (1908: 112). Type:
[Malaysia] Perak, at Tapa, Wray 1319 (lectotype K!)
designated here.
Vitex longisepala var. longipes Moldenke (1976: 375).
Type: Malaysia, Selangor, Klang area, Telok Forest
Reserve, Dec. 1969, Mahmud bin Sider s.n. (holotype
UPM (n.v.) Picture NY!).
Vitex vestita Wall. ex Walp. var. bracteata Moldenke
(1978: 308). Type: Malaysia, Perak, Kuala Kangsar
Distr., Gunong Bubu Forest Reserve, 28 Oct. 1958,
Sinclair 9887 (holotype NY!; isotypes A (n.v.), B
(n.v.), E (n.v.), K!, L!, M (n.v.), SING (n.v.)).
Shrubs (sometimes scandent) or small trees 3 – 15 m
high, 6 – 12 cm DBH. Bark smooth, (pale) grey to
white-brown; wood white. Leaves 3-foliolate; central
leaflet (broadly – narrowly) elliptic, 15 – 20 × 5.5 –
8 cm, ratio 2.1 – 3.6, side leaflets 8.5 – 16 × 3.5 – 5.3
ratio 1.6 – 3.5; apex acuminate, base cuneate to slightly
oblique, moderately hairy, young leaves red, 7 – 10
secondary veins; glands many on lower surface, yellow
to reddish. Petiole 5 – 10 cm, round in cross-section,
covered with erect hairs, glands few too many; petiolules
0.6 – 2 cm long. Inflorescence axiliary, dichasia, compound, axis 2 – 3.5 cm long, round in cross-section,
yellow, covered with erect hairs, glands few, light green;
bracteole linear to spathulate, 6 – 10 mm long, apex
rounded to acute, moderately hairy, often persistent,
brownish green. Calyx 5-lobed, campanulate, (light to
brownish) green, hairs few, glands many; flowering calyx
4 – 5 mm diameter, apex lobes acute, lobes erect; fruiting
calyx 4 – 5 mm diameter, erect to patent. Corolla 5-lobed,
yellow to dark orange, covered outside with glands; lip 1 –
5 × 1 – 5 mm, spathulate, apex rounded to truncated,
margin entire, patent; side lobes reflexed, 1 – 3 × 1 –
2 mm, apex round; back lobes 1 – 5 × 1 – 2.5 mm, apex
rounded to acute, fused up to 50%, reflexed; tube 7 –
11 mm long, pink to orange. Filaments 4 – 7 mm long,
inserted in middle part of tube. Ovary c. 1 mm diameter,
glabrous, apex covered with glands. Style 6.5 – 15 mm
long, just exserting from corolla; stigma 0.5 mm long.
Fruit, fresh globose, 5 × 5 mm, glabrous, covered with
many glands, smooth, black, shiny; dried 3 – 5 × 5 —
6 mm, ellipsoid to globose, apex rounded.
DISTRIBUTION. Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand (see
Map 2).
ECOLOGY. Growing in and along margins of primary
(evergreen) forest at 240 – 1200 m altitude. Growing
in sandy soil and sometimes over shale. Flowering and
fruiting all year round and reported to be common.
23
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least concern.
VERNACULAR NAMES. Nobang (Temuan; Gadek anak
Umbai 1579); Mentua Halban (Chew Wee-lek 1231).
TYPIFICATION. Numerous collections are cited in the
original description: Malay Peninsular: Penang, at
Batu Kawan, Curtis 275; Perak, at Bujong Malacca,
Ridley 9723; Perak, at Tapa, Wray 1319; Perak, at
Waterloo, Curtis s.n; Perak, Goping, in open jungle,
King’s Collector 460; Perak, Scortechini 100, 113, 340;
Selangor, Ridley 7595; Selangor, at Rawang, Goodenough
10488 (King & Gamble 1908). Most of these specimens
now cannot be found or identified, only a Wray 1319, a
King’s Collector 460, a Scortechini 133 (numbered as
113a) and several unnumbered Scortechini (some
originally from the Gamble herbarium according to
notes on the sheets) specimens at K and a Waterloo,
Curtis s.n. specimen at SING could be located. The
Wray 1319 specimen at K is selected here as the
lectotype as it has a detailed drawing of the flowers
signed by Gamble.
Selected specimens (41 seen):
MALAYSIA: Perak, 15 ml from Grik, 6 July 1966,
Whitmore 512 (K); Perak, W of G. Buru Massif, Feb.
1970, Everett 13967 (SAN, K); Kepong, 12 April 1978,
Maxwell 78-117 (KEP, L); Selangor, Bukit Lagong, 3
Jan. 1980, Kamarudin 28625 (K, L); Perak, Gunung
Bubu, 18 Aug. 1966, Chew Wee-Lek 1231 (K, L).
THAILAND: Yala Prov., Ban Rang, Geesink et al. 6390
(K); Naratiwat, Chatwarin Falls, 18 Dec. 1986, Maxwell
86-1092 (L).
6. Vitex medusaecalyx H. J. Lam in H. J. Lam & Bakh.
(1921: 59). Type: [Indonesia] Sumatra, Bandar baru,
15 Feb. 1917, Lörzing 4761 (lectotype BO [sheet
24258]! (Picture at K! & NY!); iso-lectotypes BO [sheet
24257]! (Picture at K!) NY!) designated here.
Shrub 3 – 6.5 m high, 15 cm DBH. Leaves 3-foliolate;
central leaflet elliptic, 12.5 – 15 × 5.5 – 7 cm, ratio 2 –
2.14, side leaflets 8 – 10.5 × 3.5 – 4.5 cm, ratio 2.3 – 2.4;
apex acuminate, base cuneate, young leaves brownish,
upper side glabrous except for veins, lower side sparsely
to moderately hairy, 7 – 10 secondary veins; glands
many, yellowish. Petiole 3 – 7 cm long, round in crosssection, covered with erect hairs; petiolules 2.5 – 3 cm
long. Inflorescence axillary, dichasia, compound, axis
1.5 – 1.7 cm long, round to flattened in cross-section;
covered with erect hairs; bracteoles linear, 7.5 – 8 × 0.1 –
1 mm, persistent. Calyx 5-lobed, flowering calyx 3 –
5 mm diameter; lobes largely isomorphic, two slightly
longer then others, 1 – 2 mm long, apex acute, erect;
glands many, yellowish. Corolla 4-lobed, yellow, densely
hairy, glands many; lobes isomorphic, c. 1 mm long,
apex round; tube 4 – 5 mm long. Filaments 4 – 6 mm
long, just exserting corolla, inserted lower to upper half
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
KEW BULLETIN VOL. 63(1)
24
of tube; anthers c. 1 mm long. Ovary c. 1 mm diameter,
globose, glabrous, covered in yellow glands. Style 4 –
6 mm long; stigma 0.5 mm long, apex acute. Fruit, fresh
5 – 6.5 mm diameter, globose, black, shiny; dried, 4 –
6 mm long, globose.
DISTRIBUTION. Indonesia: North Sumatra (see Map 3).
ECOLOGY. In open places in or at edges of primary
lower montane forest at 1200 – 1300 m altitude.
Flowering from December to February; fruiting from
January to April.
CONSERVATION STATUS. This is a rarely collected
species from a small area of Northern Sumatra. It is
reported to be rare where it is found and with a
patchy distribution. Given that this species is restricted
to a small and fragmented area, but that no decline in
population is reported, a conservation rating of
vulnerable (VUB1) is proposed (IUCN 2001).
TYPIFICATION. Two different collections were cited in
the original description: Sumatra, Bandar baru, 15 Feb.
1917, Lörzing 4761 (BO [sheet 24258] BO [sheet
24257], NY) & Sumatra, Bandar baru, 30 Dec. 1916,
Lörzing 4566 (BO [sheet 24256] BO [sheet 24255], L, L)
(Lam & Bakhuizen van den Brink 1921). The collection Lörzing 4761 both has an abundance of flowers
and fruits and is well distributed. Lam & Bakhuizen van
den Brink were working in Bogor at the time of
publication so it is proposed here to lectotypify BO
[sheet 24258], of which pictures exist at K and NY.
Map 3. Distribution of Vitex millsii ( ) and V. medusaecalyx ( ).
▪
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
•
DISCUSSION. This species could be part of the genus
Viticipremna (four corolla lobes and palmate laves).
However, given the inflorescences and flower shape
it is morphologically far closer to the species in the
Vitex flava group (see Table 1) then any species of
Viticipremna (Munir 1985). Furthermore, the number
of corolla lobes can be very variable in the genus
(see discussion in de Kok 2007) and the placement
of this species in the genus Vitex is therefore not a
major problem.
Additional collections seen:
INDONESIA: Sumatra: Mt Sibajak, 29 March 1929,
Lörzing 15535 (K); Upper Petani Valley, Eastern Mt
Sibajak, 17 Feb. 1935, Lörzing 16993 (BO, L); Upper
Bandar, 30 Dec. 1916, Lörzing 4566 (BO, L); Sidikalang,
Lae Pondon to Silalahi, 2 April 1954, Alston 15152 (BM,
BO, SING).
7. Vitex millsii M. R. Hend. (1927: 262 – 263). Vitex
vestita f. millsii (M. R. Hend.) Moldenke (1951: 489).
Type: Malaysia, Pahang, Cameron’s Highland, Robinson
Falls, 24 Nov. 1925, Henderson [Singapore field number]
17958 (holotype SING!; isotypes BM! BO! K! NY!
SING!).
Tree or shrub 7 – 10 m high, 30 cm DBH. Bark
smooth, grey; slash greenish to pale yellow, wood
THE GENUS VITEX (LABIATAE) IN THE FLORA MALESIANA REGION, EXCLUDING NEW GUINEA
white. Leaves 3-foliolate; central leaflet elliptic to
narrowly elliptic, 9.5 – 15 × 5.2 – 7.8 cm, ratio 1.8 –
1.9; side leaflets 7 – 10 × 3.4 – 5 cm, ratio 2 – 2.1, apex
acute to acuminate, base rounded to cuneate, upper
surface glabrous except on the veins, lower surface
moderately hairy to glabrous except on the veins, 6 –
7 secondary veins; glands many, on both surfaces.
Petiole 2.5 – 9 mm long, round in cross-section,
moderately hairy, petiolules 1.5 – 4 cm long. Inflorescence axillary, dichasia, compound, axis 0.4 – 1 cm
long, round to flattened in cross-section; hairs few to
dense, erect to appressed; glands few; bracteole
triangular to linear, less than 2 mm long, moderately
ciliate, seldom persistent. Calyx 5-lobed, campanulate,
one lobe usually bigger then others, hairs sparsely to
densely, erect; glands few; flowering calyx 1 – 2 mm
diameter, apex acute, erect; fruiting calyx c. 5 mm
diameter, patent. Corolla 5-lobed, covered outside
with glands, (light) yellow; lobes 1.5 – 2.5 × 1.2 –
1.5 mm, almost equal, apex rounded to acute; tube c.
8 mm long. Filaments 7 – 8 mm long, inserted in
lower half of tube; anther c. 1 mm long. Ovary 1 –
1.2 mm diameter, globose, apex acute, glabrous,
covered with glands; style c. 8 mm long; stigma c.
0.5 mm long, apex acuminate. Fruit fresh unknown;
dried 5 – 6 mm, globose, apex rounded to acute.
DISTRIBUTION. Peninsular Malaysia: mountains of
Pahang and Selangor (see Map 3).
ECOLOGY. Growing in primary evergreen forest at 1200 –
1600 m altitude. Flowering from October to November.
Fruiting from October to April.
CONSERVATION STATUS. This is a rarely collected
species from a relatively small area. It is reported to
be common where it is found. Given that this species
is restricted to a small and fragmented area, but
that no decline in population is reported, a conservation rating of vulnerable (VUB1) is proposed (IUCN
2001).
TYPIFICATION. M. R. Henderson worked at the Singapore Botanic Gardens when this species was published, and in the herbarium there are two sheets with
type material, one sheet has a hand written note
saying ‘Vitex millsii Hend’ and this sheet is accepted
here as the holotype.
Additional specimens seen:
MALAYSIA: Selangor, Ulu Gombak, 16 July 1963, Poore
1193 (K); Pahang, below Robinson Falls, 10 Nov. 1960,
Poore 564 (K); Pahang, Robinson Falls, Sg. Bertam, 9
Oct. 1961, HMB 2851 (K); Pahang, Cameron Highlands, 5 April 1937, Henderson 32909 (K); Pahang,
Cameron Highlands, G. Beremban, 1 March 1968,
Ogata 110294 (K); Pahang, Tanah Rata to Habu via
Robinson Waterfall, 21 Oct. 1967, Iwatsuki et al. 13686
(L, K).
25
8. Vitex negundo L. (1753: 638 as ‘938’). Type: from
somewhere in India, [Linnaeus 811/8] (holotype
LINN!).
Vitex chinensis Mill. (1768). Type: ex Hort., Miller s.n.
(holotype BM!).
Vitex incisa Lam. (1786: 612). Vitex negundo var. incisa
(Lam.) C. B. Clarke (1885: 584). Type: Jardin du
Roi, ‘originaire de la China’ (holotype P (n.v.)
Picture at K!).
Vitex spicata Lour. (1790: 475 – 476). Type: Cultaque in
Cochinchina et China, Loureiro s.n. (holotype P (n.v.)).
Agnus-castus incisa Carr. (1870: 415). Type: Lamarck
s.n. (holotype P (n.v.) Picture at K!).
Vitex negundo f. intermedia C. Pei (1932: 105). Vitex negundo
var. intermedia (C. Pei) Moldenke (1937: 2). Type:
Hong Kong, 1853 – 1856, Wright s.n. (syntype L!, NY!).
Vitex elmeri Moldenke (1978: 307). Type: Philippines,
Luzon, Union Province, Bauang, Feb. 1904, Elmer
5611 (holotype NY (n.v.) Picture at NY!) synon.
nov.
Trees or shrubs up to 4 m high. Leaves 3 (– 6)foliolate; central leaflet oblong-elliptic to narrowly
elliptic, 3.4 – 7 × 1.2 – 1.6 cm, ratio 2.2 – 4.6; side
leaflets 2.3 – 5 × 0.8 – 1.4 cm, ratio 2.8 – 4.3, apex
acuminate, base cuneate, margin entire to dentate,
glabrous above or with only hairs on the veins,
velutinous whitish below, aromatic when crushed,
7 – 12 secondary veins; hairs appressed, with a
powdery exudate on apical cell. Petiole 2.2 – 3.2 cm
long, round in cross-section, covered with minute
curly hairs; petiolules 0 – 6 cm long. Inflorescence
paniculate, terminal, axis 6 – 25 cm long, angular in
cross-section; flowers in dense side clusters on
peduncles up to 8 mm; hairs dense, appressed;
bracteoles scale-like, linear, up to 3 mm long,
velutinous, usually persistent. Calyx 5-lobed, clearly
5-ribbed; lobes 0.5 – 1 cm long, clearly developed,
persistent, velutinous; glands absent to few; flowering
calyx 1 – 1.5 mm diameter, erect; fruiting calyx 2 –
2.5 mm diameter, erect, covering the mature fruit.
Corolla 5-lobed, white or purple to blue-violet;
covered with appressed hairs; glands few, white; lip
oblong, 1.8 – 3 × 1.9 – 2.1 mm, apex rounded and
reflexed, margin entire, two well-developed ridges at
corolla mouth, blue; side lobes 1.2 – 1.5 × 1 – 2 mm,
apex round, patent, blue; back lobes 1.2 – 1.5 × 1 –
1.2 mm, fused up to 10%, apex round, reflect to
erect, blue; tube 2 – 3.5 mm long, infundibular.
Filaments 1.5 – 4 mm long, slightly to strongly
didynamous, inserted halfway on the corolla tube, pale
purple; anther c. 0.8 mm long, pale brown to violet.
Ovary globose, 0.6 – 0.8 × 0.5 – 0.7 mm, glabrous; style
2.5 – 3 mm long; stigma lobes 0.1 – 0.5 mm long. Fruit,
fresh unknown; dried, ellipsoid, 2.5 – 4 × 1.8 – 2 mm,
apex truncate, glabrous, smooth.
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
KEW BULLETIN VOL. 63(1)
26
Map 4. Distribution of Vitex negundo ( ).
•
DISTRIBUTION. The present day distribution is from Java
and the Philippines north to China and India. Reported
to be introduced and cultivated in at least Java, Sumatra
and the Philippines (Merrill 1918) and possibly in the
whole of the Flora Malesiana area (see Map 4).
ECOLOGY. Growing in secondary forest (rarely in
primary) and along roads and in wastelands, sometimes in thickets and up to 110 m altitude. Reported
to be flowering and fruiting throughout the year.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least concern.
VERNACULAR NAMES. Malaysia: Merbok (Abd. Samat
15). Sabah: Talaun mohou (Ranis Kung Kai 93).
Philipines: Lagundi (Merrill 1918).
USE. The species is grown for ornamental and
medicinal uses throughout the region.
NOTES. Most specimens from the Flora Malesiana area
only have a few indentations in the leaves. This is unlike
most specimens from mainland Asia (especially China),
which can have frequent and substantial indentations in
the leaves. These latter forms are sometimes cultivated
in botanical gardens and other institutions and are
often recognised as Vitex negundo var. incisa (Lam.) C. B.
Clarke. The taxonomy of this species remains confusing
on mainland Asia and more work is needed.
Selected specimens (85 seen).
KUWAIT: Kuwait City, 15 Dec. 1988, Boulos & Armer
17113 (K). NEPAL: Sindhu Palchok distr., Lamusangu,
25 May 1978, Tabata et al. 9889 (L). PAKISTAN: Dera
Ismail Khan, Montes Suleiman, Rechinger 29984 (US).
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
CHINA: Hong Kong, 1 July 1992, Hu 20903 (L).
TAIWAN: Taiching Hsien, 27 June 1995, Hsiao 1338
(BM).
THAILAND: Rat Buri Prov., 15 Jan. 1989, Nanakorn 88220
(NY). MALAYSIA: Langkawi islands, Kuah, Post Office, 4
Aug. 1961, Abd. Samat 15 (SING, K). Sabah, Tenon
distr., Kampong Mantailang, 11 June 1997, Ranis Kung
Kai 93 (KEP). PHILIPPINES: Mt Ambuklao, 21 Nov. 1953,
Quisumbing 18826 (L, US). Mindanao, Agusan Norte,
Tungao, 21 May 1991, Barbon et al. 1917 (K). INDONESIA:
Banka, Soengei Liat, 23 Aug. 1886, Berkhout 440 (L).
Central Java, Koedoes, Dec. 1924, Houwing 806 (L).
9. Vitex parviflora A. Juss. (1806: 76). Type: Insulis
Philippinis (holotype P-JU (Picture seen).
Vitex littoralis Decne. (1834: 401). Vitex timoriensis
Walp. (1845: 84). Type: Timor, naturalistes de
l’expédition de la Favorite, (syntypes K! NY!).
Vitex geniculata Blanco (1837: 514); Merr. (1918: 333).
Type: unknown.
Vitex latifolia Blanco (1837: 514); Merr. (1918: 333).
Type: unknown.
Vitex altissima Blanco (1837: 516) [non Vitex alltissima
L.f]; Merr. (1918: 333). Type: unknown.
Vitex glaberrima Zipp. ex Span. (1841: 330). Nom in
synon.
Vitex glandulosa H. J. Lam (1919: 199). Type: Philippines,
Cavite, Mendez Nunez, Aug. 1906, Mangubat 1361
(holotype BO (n.v., picture at K); isotypes L! NY! US!).
THE GENUS VITEX (LABIATAE) IN THE FLORA MALESIANA REGION, EXCLUDING NEW GUINEA
Vitex parviflora f. sterilis H. J. Lam ex Moldenke (1957:
42 – 43). Type: Philippines, Bohol, May 1906,
McGregor s.n. (Herb. Philipp. Bur. Sci. 1218) (holotype BO! Picture at K!; isotype NY!). synon. nov.
Vitex parviflora var. puberulenta Moldenke (1951: 489).
Type: Philippines, Luzon, Cavite prov., Mendez
Nuñez, Aug. 1906, Mangubat 1361 (holotype BO!
Picture at K!; isotypes L! NY! US!). synon. nov.
Tree 4 – 15 (– 30) m high; 7 – 50 (– 200) cm DBH.
Bark greyish-white to darkish grey or dark brown,
smooth to slightly fissured; sapwood light coloured;
heartwood light straw colour, very heavy and hard.
Leaves (1 –) 3 – 5 foliolate; central leaflet elliptic to
lanceolate, 10 – 17 × 3.5 – 6.5 cm, ratio 2.6 – 3; side
leaflets 8.5 – 13 × 2.5 – 5 cm, ratio 2.6 – 3.8; apex
acuminate, base cuneate, sometimes oblique, margin
sometimes serrate in immature plants, glabrous with
few appressed hairs on veins, dull green, lower surface
covered with orange glands, 10 – 13 secondary veins.
Petiole 5 – 7.8 cm long, round in cross-section, covered
with minute curly hairs; petiolules 1 – 12 mm long,
channelled. Inflorescence paniculate, axis 10 – 20 cm
long, angular in cross-section; hairs glabrous to densely
hairy, appressed to erect; bracteoles triangular to
lanceolate, up to 5 mm long, sparsely hairy, not
persistent. Calyx 0 – 5 lobed, lobes up to 0.5 mm long,
sparsely hairy (always clearly less hairy than inflorescence); glands, few, orange to yellow; flowering calyx
1.5 – 2 mm diameter, erect; fruiting calyx 3.5 – 4 mm
diameter, patent. Corolla 5-lobed, pale violet or blue to
white or yellow, glabrous to covered outside with
appressed hairs; glands many, orange; lip spathulate,
3 – 4 × 3 – 4 mm, apex rounded to truncate, margin
crenulate, patent, violet to blue; side lobes 2 – 3 × 1.5 –
2 mm, apex rounded to acute, patent; back lobes 1.5 –
2 × 1 – 2 mm, fused for 10%, apex oblique, erect; tube
4 – 6 mm long, infundibular. Filaments 4.5 – 6 mm long,
inserted at halfway on the corolla tube, only slightly too
greatly exceeding the corolla tube; anther c. 0.5 mm
long. Ovary globose, 1 – 1.2 × 1 – 1.2 mm, glabrous; style
7.5 – 8 mm long, straight; stigma lobes 0.2 – 0.5 mm
long. Fruit, fresh purple to black, glossy; dried 5 – 8 × 6
– 7 mm, globose to clavoid, glabrous, smooth.
For an anatomical description of the wood, see
Seeber et al. (1979).
27
DISTRIBUTION. Philippines and Indonesia (Moluccas
and Lesser Sunda Islands) and East Timor. Introduced as a timber tree on several pacific islands and in
Central America (see Map 2).
ECOLOGY AND HABITAT. Growing in secondary or
mixed primary forest, often along streams. Reported
to be one of the dominant trees in the Philippine
monsoon forest (Oldfield et al. 1998). Soil: clay loam
or volcanic soils, over limestone or serpentine substrates, at 30 – 400 (– 650) m altitude. Flowering from
April to December; fruiting all year round.
CONSERVATION STATUS. The exploration of this highly
prized timber has led to the reduction of the Vitex
parviflora forest in at least the Philippines. The IUCN
red list category VU Alc,d was proposed (Oldfield et al.
1998).
LOCAL NAMES. Indonesia: Moluccas: Buru: Gofasa (van
Balgooy 5088); Tenimbar Island: Basa (Buwalda 4030).
Philippines: Tagalog language: Molave (Seeber et al.
1979); Lipapa (Frake 445).
USE. In some parts of the Philippines, the bark is scraped
and drunk as a cure for indigestion (Frake 445).
DISCUSSION. Merrill (1923) stated that Vitex quinata was
morphologically scarcely separate from V. parviflora,
and indeed the differences between theses two species
and the close relative V. cofassus are very minor (see
Table 2). V. cofassus always has one leaflet per leaf,
calyces that are clearly less hairy than the inflorescence and an emarginate corolla lip. These differences clearly set it apart from both V. parviflora and
the more widespread species V. quinata. The differences between V. parviflora and V. quinata are more
complicated. V. parviflora always has calyces that are
clearly less hairy than the inflorescence, but this
character can sometimes be difficult to interpret when
dealing with specimens with an old inflorescence
(which may have lost hairs), very young ones (young
calyx can be velutinous in all species), or the occasional
V. parviflora individual with a velutinous inflorescence
and immature velutinous calyxes. The type of V.
parviflora var. puberulenta Moldenke is an example of
the last case. However, usually specimens can easily be
identified when it is in full flower.
Selected specimens (182 seen).
PHILIPPINES: Zamboauqad North, Nipaan, 11 Nov.
1957, Frake 445 (CANB). Luzon, Batangas, 17 April
Table 2. Morphological differences between Vitex cofassus, V. parviflora and V. quinata.
Characters
V. cofassus
Leaflets per leaf
Calyx indumentum
1
Calyces clearly less hairy
than inflorescence apex
Emarginate
Corolla lip apex
V. parviflora
(1 –) 3 – 5
Calyces clearly less hairy
than inflorescence apex
Rounded to truncate
V. quinata
(1 –) 3 – 5
Calyx as hairy as the
inflorescence apex
Rounded to truncate
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
28
KEW BULLETIN VOL. 63(1)
1986, Ridsdale 1868 (L). Visayas, Paranas, 22 Oct. 1992,
Reynoso et al. 7517 (K). Santa Cruz, Acoje Mine, 25 May
1986, Ridsdale 1507 (K, L). Cebu, Dec. 1910, Cenabre
15254 (L). Mindanao, Zamboanga, Santa Maria, 5 June
1910, Robinson 11804 (BM, K). MICRONESIA: Guam,
Finegayan, 7 Nov. 1986, Johnson 2281 (UPS). INDONESIA:
Timor, 1792, Smith & Wiles s.n. (US). Buru, near Bara, 7
Dec. 1984, Balgooy 5088 (L). Moluccas, Temimbar Is,
8 March 1938, Buwalda 4030 (L).
Sept. 1904, Hochreutiner 1846 (holotype G (n.v.)).
synon. nov.
Vitex buddingii Moldenke (1952: 59 – 60). Type:
[Indonesia] Western Borneo, Melawi, 3 March
1939, Budding 227 (holotype BO! Picture at K! &
NY!; isotype NY!). synon. nov.
Vitex pinnata f. glabrescens Moldenke (1976: 375). Type:
Malaya, Selangor, along roadside at Damansara, 3
June 1960, Mahmud Kasim bin Rajab 91 (holotype
UPM (n.v.)). synon. nov.
10. Vitex pinnata L. (1753: 638 as ‘938’). Vitex
pubescens L. ex Vahl (1794: 85); Vitex puberula Miq.
(1860: 242). Aglaia pinnata (L.) Druce (1914: 413).
Vitex heterophylla var. β puberula (Miq.) H. J. Lam (1919:
189). Vitex quinata var. puberula (H. J. Lam) Moldenke
(1951: 489). Vitex turczaninowii f. puberula (H. J. Lam)
Moldenke (1982: 163) (see de Kok 2007). Type: Sri
Lanka ‘the Pistacio-vitex’ Hermanni s.n. [vol 1: 16, no:
415] (holotype BM!).
Wallrothia articulata Roth (1821: 317 – 318). Type:
Heyne s.n. (holotype B (n.v.)).
Vitex arborea Roxb. (1814: 46). Type: [India] Circars, 1799,
T. Boosce s.n. (holotype BR (n.v.) Picture at NY!).
Vitex bracteata Horsf. ex Miq. (1856: 862). nom. in synon.
Vitex heterophylla Blume ex Miq. (1856: 862). nom.
superfl. nom. in synon.
Vitex pubescens Vahl var. genuina Hochr. (1925: 191
[17]). Type: Java, île Noesa, Kambangan, 29 Oct.
1904, Hochreutiner 2301 (holotype G (n.v.); isotype
L!).
Vitex pubescens Vahl α lilacina Kuntze (1891: 511). Type:
Java and Singapur, Oct. 1875, Kuntze 6086 (holotype NY!). synon. nov.
Vitex pubescens Vahl β bicolor Kuntze (1891: 511). Type:
Java, Kuntze s.n. (holotype?). synon. nov.
Vitex heterophylla var. velutina Koord. & Valeton (1900:
207 – 208). Vitex velutina (Koord. & Valeton)
Koord. (1912: 137). Types: Java, Noesakembangan,
24 Sept. 1895, Koorders 20101 β [1039c] (syntype
BO!); Java, Noesakembangan, 2 Oct. 1895, Koorders
20217 β [1127c] (syntype BO!); Java, Noesakembangan, 16 Sept. 1896, Koorders 24703 β [1039c]
(syntype BO!); Java, Noesakembangan, 25 Sept.
1896, Koorders 24779 β [1127c] (syntype BO!); Java,
Noesakembangan, 20 Jan. 1897, Koorders 27045 β
[1039c] (syntype BO! BO! Picture at NY!); Java,
Noesakembangan, 17 Dec. 1902, Koorders 40231 β
[1039c] (syntype?).
Vitex sebesiae H. J. Lam ex Leeuwen in Docters van
Leeuwen (1922: 311). nom. nud. Vitex sebesiae H. J.
Lam (1922: 176). Type: Sumatra, Sebesy, 28 April
1921, Docters van Leeuwen-Reijnvaan 5355 (syntype
BO! BO! Pictures at K! & NY!). synon. nov.
Vitex pubescens Vahl var. pantjarensis Hochr. (1925: 191 –
192 [17 – 18]). Type: Java, Goenoeng Pantjar, 17
Tree 1 – 15 (– 25) m high, bole up to 5 m high; 10 –
45 (– 120) cm DBH, sometimes fluted. Bark white to
greyish or light brown, smooth to flaky; slash brownish
to pale yellow, becoming green on exposure; wood
orange-yellow. Leaves (1 –) 3 (– 5)-foliolate; central
leaflet elliptic to narrowly elliptic, (3.5 –) 8.2 – 24 ×
3 – 9 cm, ratio 1 – 2.6; side leaflets 6 – 15 × 3.4 –
8.5 cm, ratio 1.7 – 2.1; apex (emarginated to)
rounded to acuminate, base cuneate to oblique,
hirsute, yellowish-green, 10 – 20 secondary veins,
green-yellowish; glands many on lower surface,
white or yellow. Petiole 0 – 10 cm long, channelled
to round in cross-section, hirsute; petiolules 0 – 4 mm
long, channelled. Inflorescence paniculate, axis 8 –
20 cm long, square to round in cross-section, hirsute,
purple to greyish or brown; bracteoles unifoliar leaflike and clavate, 7 – 15 × 6 – 7 mm, persistent. Calyx 5lobed, yellowish to brownish green; hairs appressed;
glands few, orange; flowering calyx c. 4 mm diameter,
erect; fruiting calyx 7 – 9 mm diameter, erect to patent.
Corolla 5-lobed, (pale) violet to (lavender) white or
greenish-yellow, fragrant; glands many, orange; lip 4 –
8 × 4 – 6.5 mm, apex round, margin entire, patent, deep
red to blue or (pale) violet, white; side lobes 2.5 – 5 × 2.5
– 4 mm, apex rounded to acute, patent to reflexed,
white, violet to pale blue; back lobes 2.5 – 3.5 × 2.5 –
3 mm, fused up to c. 50%, apex acute to oblique, erect,
white, violet to pale blue; tube 5 – 6 mm long,
infundibular, greenish-yellow to white or purplish.
Filaments 8 – 11 mm long, inserted in the lower half of
the corolla tube, pale green to white; anther c. 1 mm
long, violet to black; pollen (pale) yellow. Ovary
globose, 1.2 – 1.5 mm diameter, glabrous; style 11 –
16 mm long, straight, white; stigma lobes c. 1 mm long,
pale green to white. Fruit, fresh 5 – 8 cm diameter,
globose, smooth, glabrous, purple to black, shiny, juice
purple; dried, 4.5 – 7.5 mm diameter, globose.
Seedling: leaves 3-foliolate, entire or sometimes
serrate margin. Petiole winged (Proefstation 2024, Ng
1992: 973 – 974).
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
DISTRIBUTION. Indonesia (except New Guinea) north
to India and Sri Lanka and Cambodia. In the
Philippines this species is only known from the islands
of Palawan, Culion and Tawi Tawi (see Map 5).
THE GENUS VITEX (LABIATAE) IN THE FLORA MALESIANA REGION, EXCLUDING NEW GUINEA
29
Map 5. Distribution of Vitex pinnata ( ).
•
ECOLOGY. Growing in primary and secondary forests
and savannahs (including deciduous, heath or coastal
vegetations or (peat) swamps). Soil: (white) sand to
clay over sandstone, limestone or basalt, at 0 – 300 (–
1700) m altitude. The species apparently tolerates
regular fires (Bacon 205). Flowering from November
to May (August); fruiting from November to August.
The fruits are eaten by birds (Bernstein 47). Seeds do
not germinate in the shade (Mohamad & Ng 1982)
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least concern.
VERNACULAR NAMES. (unpublished ones only).
Malaysia: Bunyak Laban (Mohd. Bin Kiching 2000).
Indonesia: Sumba island: Hiketaroe (Iboet 46);
Komodo: Pampa (Verheijen 5348). Sumatra: Kopiher
(Karo language; Lörzing 13327), Aloban-bátu, Aloban
Kardoek or Aloban búnga (Krukoff 314, 335, 4337).
USES. Malaysia: Tea made from the boiled bark is used
during or after pregnancy (Haniff 13259); Sarawak:
The bark is soaked in warm water in order to make a
tea for the relief of stomach ache (Kandau Jenang
S.58003 & S.58181; Yii Puan Ching S.64467) and juice
from the leaves are used to treat eyes (Lee Meng Hoch
S.55685).
NOTES. The taxon Vitex pubescens β bicolor Kuntze is
defined relative to V. pubescens α lilacina Kuntze as
having a corolla with two colours rather than one
(Kuntze 1891). Given that V. pubescens α lilacina
Kuntze is a synonym of V. pinnata and that corolla
colour is variable in this species, it is presumed that V.
pubescens β bicolor Kuntze is also a synonym of V.
pinnata, despite the absence of a type specimen.
I have not seen the any type material from Vitex
pubescens Vahl var. pantjarensis Hochr., but from the
original description it is clear that it must be part of
the total variation of V. pinnata L.
Selected specimens (403 seen).
INDIA: Khassia Mont, Hooker & Thomson s.n. (UPS).
THAILAND: Chumphon, 29 April 1959, Bunchuai 1022
(L). MALAYSIA: Negri Sembilan, Setul road, 20 March
1919, Modh. Bin Kiching 2000 (SING). Perak, Batu
Kurau, 12 May 1924, Haniff 13259 (SING); Sarawak,
Ulu Layar, Betong, 1 Aug. 1988, Lee Meng Hoch S.
55685 (KEP, SAN). Kut Tengah, Dalat Kandau, 28
Nov. 1989, Jenang S. 58003 (K, SAN). Sarawak,
Limbang, Kampong Pahlawan, 26 Feb. 1991, Kandau
Jenang S. 58181 (K, KEP, SAN). Sarawak, Sibu Division,
27 July 1992, Yii Puan Ching S. 64467 (KEP). BRUNEI:
Tasek Merimbun, 22 Aug. 1992, Bernstein 47 (K);
Belait, Sukang, 21 July 1993, Atkins et al. 522 (L).
PHILIPPINES: Mindoro, Feb. – April 1908, Merritt 9800
(MEL). Tawi Tawi, 27 May 1992, Gaerlan & Sagcal
10138 (K). Palawan, Taytay, Lake Manguao, 18 April
1989, Soejarto et al. 6644 (K). Palawan, Panalingajan R.,
March 1929, Edaño 77441 (NY). Palawan, Quezon, 28
Nov. 1963, Mendoza 87720 (L). Palawan, Aborlan,
1951, Edaño 13999 (BM). Palawan, Olympic mines,
26 Jan. 1991, Stone et al. 220 (K). Palawan, Dec. 1905,
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
30
Bermejos 189 (K). Culion, 15 Dec. 1902, Merrill 502 (K).
Culion, 11 July 1912, Fènix 15649 (K). INDONESIA:
Kalimantan Tengah, Barito Ulu, 29 May 1990, Kade
Sidyasa PBU207 (L). Central Kalimantan, 48 km from
Sangai, 11 Feb. 1994, Argent & Wilkie 9439 (L). West
Kalimantan, Danau Sentarum Wildlife Reserve, 24 July
1993, Zulkarnain & Giesen 302 (L). Sumatra, Selatan,
Palembang, 3 May 1984, Bacon 205 (K). Sumatra,
Medan, 10 July 1928, Lörzing 13327 (L). Sumatra,
Padang estate, West Coast, Dec. 1930, Krukoff 314
(NY). Sumatra, near Kisarin, Hoeta Padang estate,
Dec. 1930, Krukoff 335 (NY). Sumatra, Hoeta Padang,
Asahan, 23 Nov. 1932, Krukoff 4337 (NY). Java, 1924,
Proefstation voor de Javasuikerindustrie 2024 (L).
Komodo, 5 June 1982, Verheijen 5348 (L). Soemba, 20
March 1925, Iboet 46 (L).
11. Vitex quinata (Lour.) F. N. Williams (1905: 431).
Cornutia quinata Lour. (1790: 387). Vitex quinata Druce
(1917: 652). Type: [China, Canton] Canto Sinar,
Loureiro s.n. (holotype P (n.v.) Picture at K!).
Vitex sumatrana Miq. (1860: 567). Type: [Indonesia]
Sumatra, Lampong prov., prope Natar, Teysmann
4302 (holotype U (n.v.) Picture at NY!; isotypes BO!
BO! K! MEL!).
Vitex urceolata C. B. Clarke (1885: 585 – 586). Types:
Malaya, Griffith 6064 (syntypes K! K! U (n.v.)
Picture at NY!); Malaya, Malacca, 13 June 1867 –
1868, Maingay 1207 [3308] (syntypes, K! K!);
Malaya, Malacca, 1867 – 1868, Maingay 1205
[3368] (syntype K!).
Vitex loureirii Wight ex C. B. Clarke (1885: 585). nom. in
synon.
Vitex heterohylla Roxb. var. undulata C. B. Clarke (1885:
585). Types: [Burma] Rangoon, Oct. 1826, Wallich
Cat. 1756 (syntypes K! K-W!); [Burma] Pegu, McLelland s.n. (syntype K!); [Burma], Tenasserim, Helfer
6068 (syntype, K! K!). synon. nov.
Vitex celebica Koord. (1898: 645). Type: [Indonesia]
Celebes, Menado, Minahassa, 1894 – 1895, Koorders
19544b (syntype BO! Picture at K! & NY!).
Vitex padangensis Hallier f. (1918: 46). Types: [Indonesia]
W Sumatra, Residentschaft Padang, prope Nangallo,
Korthals s.n. (syntype L!); [Indonesia] Sumatra,
Padang Provinces, Ajer Mantjur, Aug. 1878, Beccari
726 (syntype BM!K! L! MEL!). synon. nov.
Vitex heterophylla var. α genuina H. J. Lam & Bakh. (1921:
55).Types: Burma, Prazer 7 (syntype BO (n.v.));
[Indonesia] Sumatra Lampongs, Gusdorf 91 (syntype
BO (n.v.)). synon. nov.
Vitex buddingii Moldenke (1952: 59). Type: [Indonesia]
Western Borneo, Melawi, 3 March 1939, Budding 227
(bb. 27010) (holotype BO! Picture at K! & NY!; isotype
NY!). synon. nov.
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
KEW BULLETIN VOL. 63(1)
Vitex secundiflora var. longipes Moldenke (1979a: 252).
Type: [Malaysia] Sabah, Lahad Datu Distr., 5 Nov.
1961, Muin Chai SAN 26696 (holotype SAN (n.v.);
isotype, K!).
For a description and more information see de Kok
2007.
DISTRIBUTION. New Guinea north to South China and
west to India.
ECOLOGY. Primary to secondary forest or more rarely in
submontane forest, often in swamps or periodically
inundated areas. Soil: stony to sandy or loamy clay,
sometimes over limestone, at 10 – 470 (– 1000) m
altitude. Flowering from May to December; fruiting
from July to April.
VERNACULAR NAMES (unpublished ones only):
MALAYSIA: Duriau Tawar: Leban Taudok (Tahir 603);
Merboh (Corner 31625). Indonesia: South Kalimantan:
Bati Bati Gunung; Sumatra: Leban boengoen (Lamback
1221 & bb. 7723); Moluccas, Marilako: Kroehoe-kroehoe
(Lam 3636); Sulawesi, Palopo: Bitti (Ramlanto 118).
USES. On the Indonesia island of Halmahera, the bark
is mashed in cold water and used against lice (de Vogel
4394).
DISCUSSION. The leaves of Vitex quinata can vary
enormously in texture throughout its range. Usually
the leaves have an herbaceous texture, which is very
similar to most other species of Vitex. However,
populations do exist that have much more leathery
leaves. These populations are usually in areas with a
more monsoonal type of climate. The name of V.
padangensis Hallier f. is based on examples of the
latter type from Sumatra.
Vitex buddingii Moldenke is based on a specimen
with an inflorescence without any flowers or fruits;
despite this, given the location and the shape of the
inflorescence it clearly is part of V. quinata.
Additional specimens to de Kok 2007
INDONESIA: Halmahera, Central part, Akelamo Oba,
4 Dec. 1974, de Vogel 4394 (L). Halmahera, Morotoi,
Marilako, East of Pilano, 28 June 1926, Lam 3636 (L).
Sulawesi, Palopo, Desa Mario, 8 April 1984, Ramlanto
RAM 118 (K, L). Sumatra, Lampong Telohbetang,
15 Jan. 1925, Boschproefstation bb 7723 (K, NY).
Sumatra, Lematang, 30 Sept. 1916, Lambach 1221
(L). MALAYSIA: Perak, Gerik, 26 July 1936, Corner
31625 (NY, SING). Duriau Tawar, 14 April 1919, Tahir
603 (SING).
12. Vitex scandens Moldenke (1952: 63 – 64). Type:
[Indonesia] Dutch New Guinea, Nassau Mountains, Oct.
1926, Docters van Leeuwen-Reijnvaan 10703 (holotype
BO! picture at K! & NY!; isotype NY!).
THE GENUS VITEX (LABIATAE) IN THE FLORA MALESIANA REGION, EXCLUDING NEW GUINEA
For a description and more information see de Kok
2007.
DISTRIBUTION. The islands of New Guinea and New
Ireland (de Kok 2007).
13. Vitex siamica F. N. Williams (1905: 431). Type:
[Malaysia] Langkawi Archipelago, Teruto, Aug. 1888,
anonymous 1683 (lectotype K!) designated here.
Shrub or small tree, 1.5 – 18 m high, 20 – 90 cm DBH.
Bark flaky or fissured, grey, inner wood brown to
yellow, wood pale brown or whitish-yellow. Leaves 3foliolate; central leaflet elliptic to narrowly elliptic, 5.9
– 7.7 × 2.6 – 3 cm, ratio 2.3 – 2.6; side leaflets 4.5 –
5.4 × 1.6 – 2.2 cm, ratio 2.5 – 4.5, apex acuminate,
base cuneate, glabrous; glands lower surface covered,
orange; c. 10 secondary veins. Petiole 2.5 – 5 cm long,
round in cross-section to lateral flattened, glabrous to
covered with minute straight hairs, petiolules 0.4 –
1.2 cm long. Inflorescense paniculate, axis 5 – 16 cm
long, brownish-white; hairs few, erect; bracteoles
elliptic, up to 5 mm long, few hairs, persistent. Calyx
5-lobed; hairs few, erect to appressed, mainly along
margin; glands many, orange; flowering calyx 1.5 –
2 mm diameter, erect; fruiting calyx c. 2.5 mm
diameter, erect. Corolla 5-lobed, white, pinkish to
pale blue with purple and yellow markings; glands-
31
covered outside, pale yellow; hairs few; lip spathulate,
1.5 – 2.8 × 1 – 2 mm, patent, apex acute, margin entire,
appressed hairs, pale lilac to (light) purple; side lobes
1 – 1.2 × 1– 1.2 mm, patent, apex acute; back lobes 1 –
1.2 × 1 – 1.2 mm, erect, fused up to 10 – 20% of length,
apex acute; tube 2 – 2.5 mm long, infundibular.
Filaments 2 – 3 mm long, inserted in the lower half on
the corolla tube, purple; anther 0.4 – 0.5 mm long, black
to dark purple. Ovary 0.6 – 1 mm, apex velutinous,
glands absent to few; style 2.5 – 4 mm long, straight;
stigma lobes 0.1 – 0.2 mm long, apex acuminate. Fruit,
fresh violet to pale purple; dried c. 3 – 5 mm diameter,
globose, apex flattened, few hairs at apex, smooth.
DISTRIBUTION. Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand (see
Map 6).
ECOLOGY. Only found growing on limestone where it
occurs in rainforest to open rocky places in loose
brown soil, at 160 – 530 (– 800) m altitude. Reported
to be locally common. Flowering from May to July;
fruiting from May to December.
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least concern.
VERNACULAR NAMES. Malaysia: Leban balū or Halban
balū (Rahum 12383 & Unus 10110).
USES. The fruits are edible and are described as
slightly bitter (Whitmore 12158).
TYPIFICATION: Tree collections were cited in the
original publication: Langkawi Archipelago, Teruto,
1888, anonymous s.n.; Langkawi Archipelago, 1892,
Coah s.n. and Langkawi Archipelago, Curtis 1683, and
Map 6. Distribution of Vitex siamica ( ) and V. vansteenisi ( ).
▪
•
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
32
all three are supposed to be at K (Williams 1905). All
but two specimens can now be traced in K: the Teruto,
1888 and the Curtis 1683. The latter one is unfortunately sterile, so the Teruto, 1888, which has plenty of
fruits is selected here as the lectotype.
Selected specimens (38 seen).
MALAYSIA: Selangor, Bt. Anak Takum, 13 July 1970,
Whitmore 15170 (L); Kelantan, Gua Musang, 11 Aug.
1971, Chin 1388 (L); Langkawi Island, Fox 12720
KEW BULLETIN VOL. 63(1)
(BM); Kediang, Bukit Kalong, 21 May 1957, Chew
Wee-Lek 191 (L); Pahang, Kota Gelanggi, 5 Aug. 1929,
Henderson 22464 (BM, K, NY); Pahang, Lipis, Merapoh,
5 Aug. 1996, Saw 44757 (SAN). THAILAND: Ban Ta
Kuhn, Sutra thanes, Niyomdham 1258 (K, NY); Lake
Langsuan, 13 July 1928, Put 1643 (BM).
14. Vitex trifolia L. (1753: 638 as ‘trifoliis’ ‘938’); H. J.
Lam (1919: 180 – 183).
Key to the subspecies:
Leaves usually with mostly three or more leaflets, side veins > 9, upright shrub or small tree (usually > 1 m high).....
.................................................................................................................................................................14.1 subsp. trifolia
Most leaves with only one leaflet, side veins < 9, suckering or small shrub (< 0.6 m high)...............................................
...............................................................................................................................................................14.2 subsp. littoralis
14.1. subsp. trifolia L. (1753: 638). Vitex integerrima
Mill. (1768). Vitex indica Mill. (1768: in errata). Type:
India’, Herb. Linn. 811/7 (lectotype LINN! Picture at
NY!).
Vitex agnus-castus var. trifolia (L.) Kurz (1877: 270).
Type: unknown synon. nov.
Vitex agnus-castus var. javanica Kuntze (1891: 510).
Type: [Indonesia] Java, Plabuan (holotype?). synon.
nov.
Vitex trifoliata Guillaumin (1948: 308). nom. inval.
Vitex negundo var. philippinensis Moldenke (1978: 308).
Type: Philippines, Luzon, Laguna Province, Los Baños,
April 1906, Elmer 8125 (holotype?; isotypes K! NY!).
For a description and more information see de Kok
2007.
615); South Sumatra: Epaskè (Lutjeharms 4655). Lesser
Sunda Islands: Kalabali: Kámaling bata (Jaag 795);
Flores: Kajo kemérū (Lamakolot, Verheijen 5495); Soembawa: Beloening (Bloembergen 3074). Timor: Tasi (Dawan
language). Molucas: Halmahera: Tobelo: O Soi (Platenkamp 38).
USES. (unpublished ones only). Indonesia: Java: medically
against scabies and eczema (Harini 82).
NOTES. Given the information in the descriptions of
both Vitex agnus-castus var. javanica Kuntze and V.
agnus-castus var. trifolia Kurz., it is most likely that these
forms represent the same taxon as V. trifolia subsp.
trifolia.
Additional specimens to de Kok 2007
INDONESIA: Java, Wonogiri, Tirtomoyo, Tukluk, 19
DISTRIBUTION. The species is widespread from Tahiti to
Australia’s East Coast, North to Hawaii and Japan &
China, west to India, Sri Lanka and possibly east
Africa. Because of its local use as an ornamental and a
medicinal plant, it is also widely cultivated in and
outside its natural area.
ECOLOGY. Beaches, inland edge of mangrove swamps,
grasslands, (littoral) forest and in secondary vegetation, often near water. Soil: sands or more rarely in
clay, often over limestone, coral, volcanic soils or
shale, at 0 – 150 (– 1500) m altitude. In humid areas
the species is usually common at low altitudes,
becoming rarer higher up. In dryer areas the species
can also be more common at high evaluation. Often a
solitary tree but sometimes occurring in tickets.
Flowering and fruiting all year round.
VERNACULAR NAMES. (widespread or unpublished ones only):
General: Legundi or Lagundi. Indonesia: Java: Lamentang or Memeongan (Sundanese; Borssum Waalkes 529
& 761). Sumatra: Salagundih (Karo language, Lörzing
13305) Salah puteh (Dolok Merangir; Walter & Bangham
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
Nov. 1988, Harini 82 (L, NY, NY). Halmahera,
Tobelo, 4 Dec. 1980, Platenkamp 38 (L). Soembawa,
Soembawa besar, 19 Feb. 1939, Bloembergen 3074 (L).
Flores, Ruteng, Belogili, 29 March 1987, Verheijen
5495 (L). Kalabali, Lihveatang, 9 May 1938, Jaag 795
(L). Sumatra, Kiojoh, 13 June 1936, Lutjeharms 4655
(NY, US). Sumatra, Dolok Merangir, 29 Dec. 1931,
Walter & Bangham 615 (NY). Sumatra: Medan, 11 July
1928, Lörzing 13305 (L). Java: Pulau Panaitan,
Eastern Tg. Kadam, 16 Sept. 1951, Borssum Waalkes
529 (L). Java, Pulau Panaitan, Legon Kadam, 30
Sept. 1951, Borssum Waalkes 761 (L).
14.2. subsp. littoralis Steenis (1957: 516). Type: Indonesia, Lesser Sunda Is., Kisar, E of Wonreli, 22 April
1939, Bloembergen 3894 (holotype L!).
Vitex trifolia var. simplicifolia Cham. (1832: 107). Type:
Philippines, Luzon, Cavite, Dec. 1817 – Jan. 1818,
Chamisso s.n. (holotype LE (n.v.) Picture at K!).
synon. nov.
THE GENUS VITEX (LABIATAE) IN THE FLORA MALESIANA REGION, EXCLUDING NEW GUINEA
Vitex repens Blanco (1837: 513); Merr. (1918: 332).
Type: unknown.
For a description and more information see de Kok
2007.
33
4 – 6 mm diameter, globose, apex rounded, glabrous,
few glands present, smooth, shiny.
DISTRIBUTION. Indonesia: North Sumatra (see Map 6).
ECOLOGY. Edges of lower montane forests, at 1000 –
DISTRIBUTION. Widespread from Samoa to the east coast
of Australia, north to south China and Thailand (de
Kok 2007).
VERNACULAR NAMES. Malaysia, Kelantan: Gunong
pantai (Soepadmo & Suhaimi 158) or Dĕmunla (Corner
25784). Indonesia: Western Flores: Wora tach
(Schmutz s.n.).
Additional specimens to de Kok 2007
MALAYSIA: Kelantan, Gunong pantai, 3 March 1990,
Soepadmo & Suhaimi 158 (L); Pahang, Bebar, 14 June
1932, Corner 25784 (SING). INDONESIA: West Flores,
Managgarai, 1 May 1989, Schmutz s.n. (L).
15. Vitex vansteenisi Moldenke (1953b: 294). Type:
[Indonesia] Northern Sumatra, between Gadjah and
Blangkedjeren, 27 Feb. 1937, van Steenis 9400 (holotype U (n.v.); isotypes BM! BO (n.v.) K! L! NY! NY!).
Vitex vestita f. unifoliolata Moldenke (1981: 182). Type:
[Indonesia] Sumatra, Atjeh, Gunung Leuser Nature
Reserve, Camp 2, ascent of Gunung Bandahara, 27
July 1972, de Wilde & de Wilde-Duyfjes 13415 (holotype US!; isotype L (n.v.)).
Shrub or small tree 3 – 8.5 m high, 12 – 13 cm DBH.
Leaves 1-foliolate, elliptic to narrowly elliptic, 4.5 –
15 × 2 – 7 cm, ratio 2 – 3, apex acuminate, base
cuneate, upper side glabrous except on veins, lower
side sparsely to moderately hairy, 10 – 15 secondary
veins; glands few to many, yellowish. Petiole 1.5 – 3 cm
long, covered with erect hairs, round in cross-section
with small swelling at apex. Inflorescence axillary,
dichasia, compound, axis 0.2 – 1 cm long, round to
flattened in cross-section; covered with erect hairs;
bracteoles linear, 3 – 5 × 0.5 – 1 mm, falling off before
fruiting. Calyx 5-lobed, two-lipped, hairs few, erect;
glands many; flowering calyx upper lobes three, major
lobe 1.5 – 3 × 1 – 1.5 mm, apex acute to acuminate,
erect; lower lobes two, 1 – 0.8 mm long, apex acute to
acuminate, erect; tube 3 – 3.5 mm long; fruiting calyx
5 – 6 mm diameter, erect. Corolla 5-lobed, yellow,
covered with glands; lip 2 – 2.2 × 1.2 – 2.5 mm,
rounded to oblong, apex round, margin entire; side
lobes 1 – 1.5 × c. 1.5 mm, patent, apex acute; back
lobes 1 – 1.5 × 1 – 1.5 mm, erect, fused up to 30%, apex
round; tube 5 – 7 mm long. Filaments just exceeding
corolla tube, 3 – 5 mm long, equal, inserted at middle
to lower part of the corolla tube; anther 0.5 – 1 mm
long. Ovary globose, c. 1 mm, glabrous, apex covered
in glands. Style 6.5 – 7 mm long; stigma lobes 0.1 –
0.5 mm long, apex acute. Fruits, fresh unknown; dried
1500 m altitude. Flowering from December to March;
fruiting from January to March.
CONSERVATION STATUS. This is a rarely collected
species (five collections known) from a small area of
Northern Sumatra. Notes on some collections say that
is at least locally common and it is found growing in
the Gudung Leuser National Park. However this
species is restricted to a small area with an increasing
human pressure on its natural habitat. Given that only
some populations are protected, a conservation rating
of vulnerable (VUB1) is proposed (IUCN 2001).
DISCUSSION. This species is clearly a close morphological relative of the species in the Vitex flava group
(Table 1). The swelling at the apex of the petiole of
each unifoliar leaf is taken here as a remnant of the
apparently absent side leaflets. Therefore, following
the discussion of the position of the unifoliar V. cofassus
(see de Kok 2007) it is placed here in the genus Vitex.
Additional collections seen:
INDONESIA: Sumatra: Atjeh, Gajolanden, van Paloh to
Kongke, 4 March 1937, van Steenis 9427 (BM, BO, L,
NY, SING). Atjeh, Blangkedjeren, 25 March 1954,
Alston 14733 (BM, BO, L). Gunung Leuser Nat. Park,
between Alas and Palok, near Agusan Pass, 7 Sept.
1983, Whitmore 3341 (BO, K, L).
16. Vitex vestita Wall. ex Walp. (1845: 85). H. J. Lam
(1919: 205 – 206). Type: East India, Toong-Dong Avae,
Wallich Cat. 1750 (lectotype K!; isolectotype, K-W!)
designated here.
Vitex vestita f. winkleri Moldenke (1951: 489 – 490).
Type: Indonesia, South-Eastern Borneo, 13 June
1908, Winkler 2433 (holotype BO! Picture at K! &
NY!; isotype L!). synon. nov.
Vitex vestita f. glabrescens Moldenke (1951: 489). Type:
[Indonesia] Sumatra, Padang division, Si Dimpoean,
Tapianoedi, 22 – 30 June 1933, Rahmat Si Toroes
4698 (holotype NY!; isotype US!). synon. nov.
Small tree or shrub up to (2.5 –) 8 – 15 m high, 3 – 15
(– 40) cm DBH; rarely liana (then at least 10 m high
and 20 m long). Bark smooth to scaly or cracked,
(dark) grey to (light) brown; slash light yellowish to
(pale) brown, darkening rapidly when cut; wood pale
white to pale brown. Leaves 3-foliolate; central leaflet
elliptic to narrowly elliptic, 8 – 16.5 × 3.5 – 6.5 cm,
ratio 1.8 – 3.3; side leaflets 3 – 7 (– 11) × 1.3 – 3.2 cm,
ratio 2.2 – 3.5, apex acuminate, base rounded to
cuneate, margin rarely serrate, young leaves pink,
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
34
KEW BULLETIN VOL. 63(1)
upper surface glabrous except on the veins, lower
surface from glabrous with hairs on the veins to
densely hairy, 5 – 10 secondary veins, hairs erect,
glands many on both surfaces. Petiole 4 – 7.5 mm
long, round in cross-section, velutinous, petiolules
1.5 – 3.5 cm long. Inflorescence axillary, dichasia,
compound, axis 0.8 – 2.2 cm long, flattened in crosssection; hairs few to dense, appressed; glands few;
bracteoles triangular to linear, less than 2 mm long,
moderately ciliate, seldom persistent. Calyx 5-lobed,
campanulate, (light) green, hairs sparse to dense,
erect; glands few; flowering calyx lobes 2.5 – 5 mm
diameter, apex acute, erect; fruiting calyx 3 – 4 mm
diameter, patent. Corolla 5-lobed, covered outside
with glands, whitish-pink to (olive-) yellow to yellow,
mouth cream; scent absent or sour; lobes 1 × 0.8 –
1 mm, almost isomorphic, apex acute; tube 2.5 –
6.5 mm long, white. Filaments 1 – 3 mm long,
inserted in upper half of tube, yellow; anther white
to grey. Ovary globose, 1 – 1.2 mm diameter, apex
acute, glabrous, glands many (sometimes covering
the whole apex); style 3.5 – 6.5 mm long, white;
stigma c. 2 mm long, pale yellow or white. Fruit,
fresh 5 × 3 – 4 mm; ellipsoid to ovoid, yellowishgreen turning to orange or purple and finally black,
shiny; dried 5 – 6 × 3 – 4 mm, ellipsoid, apex
rounded to acute.
Seedlings: see Ng 1992: 975 – 976.
DISTRIBUTION. Borneo and Sumatra, north to Burma
and Vietnam (see Map 7).
Map 7. Distribution of Vitex vestita ( ).
•
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
ECOLOGY. Growing in primary or secondary forest and
heath forest, at 50 – 500 (–3000) m altitude.
Sometimes occurring in waterlogged areas. Soil: clay
over sandstone, granite or volcanic rock. Flowering
from October to June (– July). Fruiting from October
to June (July).
CONSERVATION STATUS. Least concern.
VERNACULAR NAMES. Malaysia: Laum leban (Kamarudin
28048). Indonesia: Sumatra: Asahan province: Aloban
baeugah (Krukoff 4117). Sumatra West Coast: Bóti-Bóti
(Krukoff 319).
USES. Sarawak: Used in religious ceremonies in
connection with the rice harvest.
TYPIFICATION. There are three collections with the Wallich catalogue number 1750 at Kew. Two have the locality
data ‘East India, Toong-Dong Avae, Wallich Cat. 1750’ (K
& K-W) and the second collection has the data ‘Penang,
1822, Wallich Cat. 1750’ (K-W). In Walper’s (1845)
validation of the Wallich name he only cites: ‘Wall. Cat.
1750’. In the Wallich collection there are two sterile
specimens, therefore the flowering specimen in Kew’s
general collection is selected here as the lectotype.
NOTES. This species is closely related to Vitex gamosepala according to both Clarke (1885) and King &
Gamble (1909). Their main argument is the similarity
in the inflorescence, corolla and, according to the
latter, also the fruit. Because of its unique calyx
morphology (two lipped, with one lip greatly enlarged)
Clarke (1885) described the subgenus Glossocalyx with
V. gamosepala as its only representative. This was
rejected by King & Gamble (1909) on the basis that
THE GENUS VITEX (LABIATAE) IN THE FLORA MALESIANA REGION, EXCLUDING NEW GUINEA
V. vestita and V. longisepala are morphologically closely
related to V. gamosepala, but they lack this unique calyx
morphology. They further state that these three species
are probably more closely related to the genera Premna
and Gmelina then to any other species of Vitex.
The main differences between Vitex vestita and V.
gamosepala are in the calyx (see Table 1). The hairiness
of the leaves is often mentioned as a good character
(Clarke 1885; King & Gamble 1909). However, numerous specimens of V. vestita (Ambri et al. 1574; Clemens
29768; Sigin et al. 108032) have almost glabrous leaves
and inflorescences, without a two-lipped calyx. This
continuous variation in leaf and inflorescences indumentum was used by Moldenke (1951) to describe two
forms within this species: V. vestita f. glabrescens Moldenke
for the almost glabrous specimens and V. vestita f. winkleri
Moldenke for the specimens between the glabrous form
and the more common hairy form.
Some old collections from Java are preserved at L;
however, any further locality data is very unclear and
given the absence of recent material they probably
represent cultivated plants.
Selected specimens (170 seen).
THAILAND: Trat prov., Koh Chang, Ban Tan Majom, 26
Dec. 1984, Ryding 851 (UPS). MALAYSIA: Pahang,
Lesong FR, 10 June 1979, Kamarudin 28048 (L).
Sabah, Tangkulap F.R., 9 Dec. 1985, Sigin et al.
108032 (K). Sabah, Mt Kinabalu, near Kundusan, 25
May 1932, Clemens & Clemens 29768 (BM, K, NY).
INDONESIA: Sumatra, Holta Padang estate, near
Krearin, Dec. 1930, Krukoff 319 (BO, NY). Sumatra,
Asahan, Masihi Forest Reserve, Oct. 1932, Krukoff 4117
(BO, L, NY). Kalimantan, East, KPC area, Bengalon,
24 March 1996, Ambri 1574 (K, L). Bangka, Lobok
besar, 12 Sept. 1949, Anta 608 (L).
Doubtful Names
Vitex altmanni Moldenke (1952: 59). Type: [Indonesia]
Java, Cheribon, 8 Dec. 1940, Altman 577 (holotype
BO! Picture at K! & NY!).
This name is based on a sterile specimen housed at
BO. Given the locality, it is most likely to be Vitex
quinata, but without any flowers or fruits it is
impossible to be sure.
Vitex langundi W. G. Maxwell (1906: 50). Type: not
known.
The only information given is that this is an aromatic
shrub with blue flowers and that it is used in traditional
medicine. It is most likely to be either Vitex trifolia or V.
negundo, but without any further information it is
impossible to determine this name more accurately.
35
Vitex leucoxylon Blanco (1837: 516) [non Vitex leucoxylon
L.f]; Merr. (1918: 332 –333). Type: unknown.
Merrill interprets this name as based on material from
two species, Vitex negundo and V. parviflora (Merrill
1918). He may be right, but given that no type
material exists, the true identity of this name will
remain unknown.
Vitex minahassae Koord. (1898: 645). Type: [Indonesia,
Sulawesi] Kajoewatoe, 16 Feb. 1895, Koorders 19553 β
(syntypes BO!, BO! picture at NY & K).
This name is based on two sterile specimens at BO.
From the specimens and the scant description it is
clear that this must either be Vitex glabrata, V. quinata
or even a Teijsmanniodendron. However, without flowers or fruits it is impossible to identify these specimens
any further.
Vitex negundo Noronha (1791: 28). Type: unknown.
In the original description of Vitex negundo Noronha,
the only information given is the common Javan name:
Lagondi-laut (Noronha 1791). This name is sometimes
given to V. trifolia subsp. littoralis or V. trifolia subsp.
trifolia and without any more information it is impossible to identify this name any further.
Vitex paniculata Lam. (1786: 612). Types: Rumph.
(1750: 50 – 51, t. 19); Pluk. (1691: t. 321. f. 2; 1696:
390 [as Vitex orientalis]).
This name is based on two different publications
with two different plates. The Rumphius plate and
description clearly shows a Vitex trifolia subsp. trifolia.
The plate in both Plukenet publications shows a
specimen which has long lanceolate leaves, and a lax
paniculate inflorescence, which suggest something
closer to V. agnus-castus.
Vitex secundiflora Hallier f. (1918: 49). Type: [Indonesia] S.O. Borneo, Gunung Pamatton, 30 fuss, Korthals
s.n. (holotype?).
I have not seen any type material connected with this
name and from the original description it is unclear
to which genus it belongs. If it is a Vitex, then it must
represent the sole collection of a distinct taxon.
However, the description of a ridge between the
petioles points more in the direction of Callicarpa.
The reported reddish hairs on the corolla also points
away from the genus Vitex. Given our knowledge of the
Labiatae of the region it is impossible to be more
precise, without examining any type material.
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
36
Excluded Names
Vitex aherniana Merr. (1904: 18). Type: Philippines,
Luzon, Principe prov., Baler, Aug. 1902, Merrill
1007 (holotype PNH (n.v.); isotypes NY! US!) =
Teijsmanniodendron ahernianum (Merr.) Bakh.
Vitex bankae H. J. Lam in H. J. Lam & Bakh. (1921: 62 –
63). Types: [Indonesia] Banka, Blinju, 17 Oct.
1914, Grashoff 36 (syntypes, BO! BO!); [Indonesia]
Banka, Djebus, Teysmann s.n. (syntypes?); [Indonesia] Banka, Menumbing, Teysmann s.n. (syntypes?);
[Indonesia] Banka, Blinju, Teysmann s.n. (syntypes
BO! BO! BO! BO!) = Teijsmanniodendron ahernianum
(Merr.) Bakh.
Vitex bantamensis Koord. & Valeton. (1900: 210). Type:
[Indonesia] Z.W. Banten, Tjěmara, Koorders s.n.
(holotype BO?) = Vavaea amicorum Benth.
Vitex bogoriensis H. J. Lam in H. J. Lam and Bakh. (1921:
60). Type: [Indonesia], Botanic Gardens Buitenzorg
(Bogor), originally from Banka, anonymous XI H. 37
(holotype BO!) = Teijsmanniodendron ahernianum
(Merr.) Bakh.
Vitex bulusanensis Elmer (1939: 3798). Type: Philippines, Luzon, Sorsogon prov., Irosin (Mt Bulusan),
Aug. 1916, Elmer 17004 (holotype PNH (n.v.);
isotypes L! NY! NY!) = Teijsmanniodendron sp.
Vitex clarkeana King & Gamble (1909: 845). Vitex
simplicifolia C. B. Clarke (1885: 586). Type: Malacca,
Griffith s.n. (holotype K! K! K!) = Teijsmanniodendron
hollrungii (Warb.) Kosterm.
KEW BULLETIN VOL. 63(1)
Vitex erioclona H. J. Lam in H. J. Lam & Bakh. (1921: 5).
Type: [Indonesia] Menado, Lako-Poso, Heyne 2563
(holotype BO! Picture at NY!; isotype NY!).
From the original description and the type material I
have seen, it is clear that this name cannot be a Vitex in
the circumscription accepted in this paper. Given the
single leaf, the 5-lobed corolla, inflorescences type
and its calyx shape it is most likely not to be part of
the Vitex/Premna complex, but more likely somewhere
near Clerodendrum L.
Vitex euphlebia Merr. ex H. J. Lam (1919: 212). Nom. in
synon. = Vitex merrillii H. J. Lam (1919: 212) =
Teijsmanniodendron bogoriense Koord.
Vitex flabelliflora Hallier f. (1918: 50). Type: [Indonesia]
O. Borneo, Sungei talut, Penihier, 1896 – 1897,
(Jaheri in Exp. Nieuwenhuis) 1539 (holotype L!;
isotype B! (n.v.), BO! BO! BO!) = Teijsmanniodendron bogoriense Koord.
Vitex havilandii Ridl. (1929: 262). Type: Sadong, Coalmine Hill, Haviland 861 (syntype K! K!).
The 4-lobed corolla and the single leaf place this
name within the genus Premna. However, it also has
the swollen petiole typical of Teijsmanniodendron.
Vitex holophylla J. G. Baker (1896: 25 – 26). Type:
[Malaysia] British North Borneo, Sandakan, Governor
Creagh s.n. (holotype K!) = Teijsmanniodendron holophylla (J. G. Backer) Kosterm.
Vitex coriacea C. B. Clarke (1885: 586). Types: Malacca,
Griffith 6065 (syntype K!); Malacca, Maingay, Griffith
1203 (syntype K!) = Teijsmanniodendron coriaceum
(C. B. Clarke) Kosterm.
Vitex koordersii H. J. Lam in H. J. Lam & Bakh. (1921:
64). Types: Sumatra, Palembang, Buurman v. Vreeden
158 (syntypes BO! BO!); Central Sumatra, Rawang,
Sigati, Koorders 10483 β (syntype?); Borneo, Jaheri
s.n. (syntypes BO! BO!) = Teijsmanniodendron pteropodium (Miq.) Bakh.
Vitex cymariodes H. J. Lam & Meeuse (1939: 248 – 254);
Type: [Indonesia] Kangean Archipelago, Poeloe
Sepandjang, 21 April 1919, Backer 28867 (holotype
L! (n.v.); isotype, K!) = Garrettia siamensis H. R.
Fletcher.
Vitex longifolia Merr. (1910: 227). Type: Philippines,
Mindanao, Surigao Prov., 5 July 1907, Hutchinson
7574 (holotype PNH (n.v.); isotype US!) = Teijsmanniodendron bogoriense Koord.
Vitex curranii H. J. Lam (1919: 207 – 208). Type:
Philippines, Negros, Oct. 1909, Curran 17463
(holotype PNH (n.v.)) = Teijsmanniodendron ahernianum (Merr.) Bakh.
Vitex curtifrutescens Elmer (1915: 2873). Type: Philippines, Mindanao, Todaya (Mt Apo), July 1909, Elmer
10994 (holotype PNH (n.v.); isotypes K! NY!) =
Trichadenia philipinensis Merr.
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
Vitex luzonica H. J. Lam in H. J. Lam & Bakh. (1921:
61). Type: Luzon, Ahern 706Q. (holotype BO!).
The collection number of the type of this name was
misquoted in its original description. In the original
description the specimen was quoted as “Luzon:
AHERN n. 760 Q” (Lam & Bakhuizen van den Brink
1921). The collection number was corrected to 706
(Lam 1922) a year later. This mistake has lead to some
THE GENUS VITEX (LABIATAE) IN THE FLORA MALESIANA REGION, EXCLUDING NEW GUINEA
misunderstandings, for instance Merrill (1923) stated
that he could not find the holotype (Ahern 760) at the
PNH herbarium. Moldenke (1956) in his monograph
of the genus gives the correct citation for the type
(Ahern 706 Q). However the specimen he annotated
in NY as type material has a label with the number
7069 and not 706 or 706 Q. The label in NY is a newly
typed one and not one of Ahern’s originals. Consequently it is not certain if this specimen (Ahern 7069)
is type material or not.
Given the four corolla lobes and three leaflets per
leaf this name belongs in the genus Viticipermna rather
than Vitex.
Vitex merrillii H. J. Lam (1919: 212). Type: [Philippines]
Mindanao, Bataan, Aug. 1912, Fénix 15906 (holotype
PNH (n.v.); isotypes K! L!) = Teijsmanniodendron
bogoriense Koord.
Vitex macrophylla H. J. Lam (1919: 212); Vitex macrofolia
Moldenke (1956: 450). Type: [Papua New Guinea]
New Guinea, Camp Malu, 18 July 1912, Lederman
7972 (syntype K!) = Viticipremna tomentosa Munir.
Vitex moluccana Blume (1826: 813). Type: Rumph.
(1750: t. 20).
The plate, on which this name is based, clearly shows
a plant which is not a Vitex. It could be a Gmelina as
Backer believed (Gmelina moluccana (Blume) Backer or
Gmelina moluccana (Blume) Backer ex K. Heyne (1917:
118).
Vitex peralata Miq. (1862: 242 & 567). Type: Sumatra,
Palembang, Dangku Lematang, Teijsmann s.n. (holotype L (n.s.)); isotypes BO! K!) = Teisjmanniodendron pteropodum (Miq.) Bakh.
37
Vitex pinnata f. anomala Moldenke (1953a: 184). Type:
Indonesia, Banka, Muntok, 10 Oct. 1917, Bünnemeijer 1362 (holotype BO! Picture at NY!).
Given the single leaves and the shape of the corolla, it is
very likely that this name should be placed in Clerodendrum.
Vitex premnoides Elmer (1915: 2874). Type: Philippines,
Mindanao, Todaya (Mt Apo), Sept. 1909, Elmer 11644
(holotype PNH (n.v.); isotypes K! NY! US!) = Mastixia
premnoides (Elmer) Hallier f.
Vitex pteropoda Miq. (1862: 567). Type: Sumatra orient,
Palembanicae prov., Dangku Lamatang, Teysmann
s.n. (holotype L!) = Teijsmanniodendron pteropodum
(Miq.) Bakh.
Vitex punctata Schauer (1847: 687). Type: [Indonesia] in
Mollucas (holotype G (n.v.)) = Teijsmanniodendron
hollrungii (Warb.) Kosterm.
Vitex sarawakana H. Pearson (1907: 60). Types: Sarawak,
Beccari 2280 (syntype K!); Sarawak, Beccari 2506
(syntype K!); Sarawak, Beccari 2851 (syntype K!) =
Teijsmanniodendron sarawakana (H. Pearson) Kosterm.
Vitex simplicifolia C. B. Clarke (1885: 586). Type:
Malacca, Griffith s.n. (syntypes K! K! K!) = Teijsmanniodendron hollrungii (Warb.) Kosterm.
Vitex smilacifolia H. Pearson (1907: 59). Type: [Malaysia]
Borneo, Sarawak, Beccari 1097 (syntypes K! NY!);
[Malaysia] Borneo, Sarawak, Beccari 1137 (syntype
K!). = Teijsmanniodendron smilacifolia (H. Pearson)
Kosterm.
Vitex subspicata Hallier f. (1918: 52). Types: [Indonesia]
Sumatra, 1880, Forbes 3204 (syntype?); [Indonesia] W
Borneo, am grossen Sambasflusse, 4 Nov. 1893, Hallier
B 1064 (syntype BO!); [Indonesia] W Borneo,
Terussan (= Querkanal), zwischen dem grossen und
dem kleinen Sambas, 5 Nov. 1893, Hallier B 1122
(syntype BO!); [Indonesia] S.O. Borneo, Berg Pamatton, Korthals s.n. (syntype?) = Teijsmanniodendron
subspicatum (Hallier f.) Kosterm.
Vitex peralata King & Gamble (1908: 112). Types:
Malaya, Perak, Simpang, Wray 2029 (syntype ?);
Malaya, Perak, Simpang, Wray 2254 (syntype K!);
Malaya, Perak, Simpang, Wray 2305 (syntype K!);
[Malaysia] near Larút, in dense jungle on low wet
ground, Dr King’s Collector 2064 (syntype K!);
[Malaysia] near Larút, in dense jungle on low wet
ground, Dr King’s Collector 6187 (syntype ?);
[Malaysia] near Larút, in dense jungle on low wet
ground, Dr King’s Collector 6874 (syntype K!);
[Malaysia] near Larút, in dense jungle on low wet
ground, Dr King’s Collector 8299 (syntype K!) =
Teijsmanniodendron pteropodum (Miq.) Bakh.
Vitex turczaninowii Merr. (1906: 77). Type: Insulae
Philippinae, 1841, Cuming 1294 (syntypes, BM! K!
MEL! NY! PNH (n.v.)); Insulae Philippinae, Cuming
1294 (syntypes NY! PNH (n.v.)) = Viticipremna
philippinensis Munir.
Vitex philippinensis Merr. (1903: 52). Type: [Philippines]
Mindanao, Zamboanga prov., Tagana-an, 1901, Ahern
387 (holotype PNH (n.v.); isotype BO (n.v.), US!
US!) = Teijsmanniodendron pteropodum (Miq.) Bakh.
Vitex unifoliolata Merr. (1922: 438). Type: [Philippines]
Mindanao, Zamboanga distr., Malangas, 1919, Ramos
& Edaño 37048 (holotype PNH (n.v.); isotype US!) =
Teijsmanniodendron unifoliatum (Merr.) Moldenke.
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2008
38
Vitex venosa H. J. Lam in H. J. Lam & Bakh. (1921: 61).
Type: [Indonesia] Sumatra, Palembang, Banjuasin
and Kubu countries, 24 Dec. 1915, Grashoff 890
(syntypes BO! BO!) = Teijsmanniodendron coriaceum
(C. B. Clarke) Kosterm.
Acknowledgments
The author is grateful to the curators of BM, BKF, BO,
CANB, K, KEP, L, LINN, MEL, NY, P, NSW, P, SAN,
SING, TCD, UPS and US for access to their collections
and UPS for sending pictures of their type specimens.
Special thanks to Dr Alexander Sennikov from LE for
the scan of the Vitex trifolia var. simplicifolia type and to
Sue Zmarzty from K for all her help and advice with
the V. curtifrutescens type. Thanks to J. Gregson for
producing the maps; B. Conn, D. Mabberley. A. Paton
and T. Utteridge for all their help and advice.
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