Vitex grandifolia
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Scientific
Classification
Synonyms
Common
Names: Black
plum" or "Chocolate and berry tree." Local names: Species ID: NMP-213;wfo-0000333121;NCBI_Taxonomy ID: 1321812 Description Vitex
grandifolia is an evergreen shrub or tree that can grow up to 20 meters tall.
It features a spreading crown, with a bole that is often sinuous and slightly
fluted at the base, typically up to 60 cm in diameter, though some specimens
can reach up to 120 cm. The tree is harvested from the wild for its edible
fruit, medicinal purposes, and useful timber. Distribution
and Habitat This
species is native to West and West-Central Tropical Africa, with its range
extending from Sierra Leone to Gabon. It is often found as an understorey tree
in lowland evergreen forests and can become locally common, especially in
secondary forests. Medicinal
Properties In
traditional medicine, various parts of Vitex grandifolia are utilized:
Known Toxicity There
are no known hazards associated with Vitex grandifolia. However, as with all
medicinal plants, it is advisable to consult with knowledgeable practitioners
before any medicinal use. Additional
Information Beyond
its medicinal applications, the black juice exuding from leaves heated over a
fire has been used as ink. The heartwood is whitish to pale brown, darkening on
exposure to brown, and indistinctly demarcated from the sapwood. The grain is
usually straight; texture medium. The wood is moderately durable and reportedly
resistant to termite attack, though the sapwood is susceptible to Lyctus beetle
attack. It is easy to saw and work with hand and machine tools; it generally
planes to a smooth surface and finishes well, it nails well without splitting.
Veneer of good quality can be produced. The wood is used on a local scale for
light construction, drums, and canoe seats. It is suitable for light flooring,
joinery, interior trim, furniture, cabinet work, toys, novelties, shipbuilding,
vehicle bodies, agricultural implements, boxes, crates, veneer, plywood, and
pulpwood.
References
External links
More Pictures
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