Vitex polygama
| Vitex polygama | |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Vitex polygama [1] |
| Genus | Vitex |
| Family | Lamiaceae [2] |
| Order | Lamiales [2] |
| Habit | Deciduous or semi-deciduous tree, 6–12 m tall [3] |
| Native habitat | Savannahs and semi-deciduous forests in Paraguay, Brazil, and Bolivia, above 500 m [3] |
| Fruit | About 3 cm long by 2 cm wide; sweet fleshy pulp is difficult to separate from the seed [3] |
Vitex polygama is an accepted species in the Lamiaceae. It is a South American deciduous or semi-deciduous tree with edible-use records and a fleshy fruit. [2]
Description[edit | edit source]
Vitex polygama grows as a 6–12 m tree and may be deciduous or semi-deciduous. Its recorded range includes Paraguay, Brazil, and Bolivia, where it is associated with savannahs and semi-deciduous forests above 500 m. [3]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
The native settings are savannahs and semi-deciduous forests. A freely draining medium is a cautious habitat-based starting point, but species-specific soil texture, pH, and irrigation intervals remain unresolved. [3]
Young trees are described as establishing fairly well. Moderate growth is reported under the practical cultivation account; this does not provide a mature-tree growth rate or a fixed watering schedule. [3]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
Sunny exposure is listed for cultivation, and young trees are described as establishing fairly well in that setting. A species-specific humidity target, airflow requirement, or shade tolerance is unresolved. [3]
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
The species is deciduous or semi-deciduous, so seasonal leaf loss is part of its recorded growth habit. Flowering and fruiting timing, dormancy duration, and dry-season irrigation scheduling remain unresolved. [3]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Sow ripe seed promptly in individual containers and keep the containers in light shade. Germination is described as normally low, with sprouting in about 30–50 days; seedlings are reported as ready for planting out about six months after germination. These figures are qualified practical guidance rather than results from a species-specific propagation trial. [3]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
The fruit is described as about 3 cm long and 2 cm wide, with sweet fleshy pulp that is difficult to separate from the seed. Fruits are gathered locally. A flowering or harvest calendar, bearing age, pollination requirement, and ripe-fruit color remain unresolved. [3]
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
Local fruit gathering and sweet pulp are reported as uses of V. polygama. That use observation does not establish species-specific food safety, and no preparation or ingestion recommendation is given without dedicated safety evidence. [3]