Vitex trifolia L., Sp. Pl. (1753)
Latin for 'three-leaved', referring to the tri-foliate compound leaves.Synonyms
Vitex agnus-castus var. trifolia (L.) Kurz
Vitex indica Mill. [Illegitimate]
Vitex integerrima Mill. [Illegitimate]
Vitis triphylla Noronha
Description
Shrub to 6 m tall and 10 cm dbh. Stipules absent. Leaves opposite,
tri-foliate compound, leaflets penni-veined, hairy, whitish below. Flowers ca. 8
mm diameter, blue-purplish, with corolla tube, placed in panicles. Fruits ca. 6
mm diameter, blue-purple, drupes.
Ecology
In secondary regrowth, scrub and swamps up to 100 m altitude. Usually in
alluvial sites, near or along rivers and streams.
Distribution
Currently pan-tropical, but originally from eastern Africa, India, southern
China, southern Japan to New Guinea, Australia and the Pacific. In Borneo only
collected in East Kalimantan in near Balikpapan and Sungai Wain.
