Black Plum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Black Plum

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Vitex cuneata var. parvifolia
• Vitex homblei
• Vitex hornei
• Vitex paludosa
• Vitex pachyphylla
• Vitex cienkowskii
• Vitex chariensis
• Vitex cuneata
• Vitex dewevrei
• Vitex lundensis
• Vitex poggei
• Vitex milnei

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Vitex doniana, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Vitex.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Vitex doniana, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of West Tropical Africa. It can be found growing naturally within the borders of Benin. Additionally, its presence is documented throughout the nation of Burkina. The species also inhabits various parts of Ghana and the Gambia. Finally, its range extends into the coastal territories of Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vitex doniana is closely tied to its preference for specific forest structures, most notably occurring within old secondary forest environments. In these ecosystems, the plant thrives under the filtered light and stabilized microclimates provided by established woody canopies, which offer the necessary shade and humidity levels for its development. As a species adapted to these secondary forest habitats, it often occupies transitional zones where the vegetation is recovering or regenerating, allowing it to utilize the nutrient-rich soil and organic matter characteristic of these maturing landscapes. Its presence in such habitats suggests a reliance on the complex biological interactions and structural stability found in older, more developed secondary growth compared to disturbed or pioneer landscapes.

Habitat :

old secondary forest

Life history

The life history of Vitex doniana is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem over many years. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive shoots are elevated well above the ground, typically manifesting as a robust woody shrub or small tree. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal physiological cycles.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vitex doniana is characterized by its robust growth form, primarily manifesting as a woody tree. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently without being an epiphyte or a parasite. The plant is a self-supporting structure, rather than a climber, liana, or vine. In terms of stature, it reaches significant dimensions, with plant heights ranging from a minimum of approximately 9.14 m to a maximum of 18.29 m, maintaining an average height of roughly 16.67 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18.28822238 m

Plant height mean:

16.6666666666667 m

Plant height min:

9.144111192 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vitex doniana is characterized by its efficient metabolic and nutrient-acquisition strategies adapted to tropical environments. The plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism common among many woody tropical species, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle. In addition to its carbon assimilation processes, Vitex doniana functions as a nitrogen fixer, possessing the biological capacity to enhance soil fertility by converting atmospheric nitrogen into forms usable for plant growth, thereby supporting its development in diverse ecological niches.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vitex doniana is characterized by a seasonal cycle that begins with a flowering period typically centered around March, though the timing can be variable across different months. The pollination process is biotic, specifically utilizing bees as the primary pollination syndrome to facilitate fertilization. Following pollination, the plant enters its fruiting stage, which is concentrated around June. The resulting fruit is a fleshy drupe that is indehiscent, meaning it does not split open at maturity to release its contents. This fleshy nature supports an endozoochorous dispersal syndrome, a specialized form of zoochory where seeds are dispersed via the digestive tracts of animals. The seeds produced during this cycle exhibit specific physical properties, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.90801 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.38488 g to a maximum of 1.69456 g) and a consistent seed volume of 2300 mm³.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flowering time :

Mar

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit type :

drupe

Fruiting time :

Jun

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

1.69456 g

Seed mass mean:

0.90801 g

Seed mass min:

0.38488 g

Seed volume max:

2300 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vitex doniana has 3 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem, leaf, root.

Stem

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Pharmaceutical biology
3. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Leaf

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
2. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Root

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Vitex doniana has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 20-HYDROXYECDYSONE, 3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenol, 4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID, Ajugasterone C, Bicarbonate ions.

20-HYDROXYECDYSONE

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenol

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Ajugasterone C

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Bicarbonate ions

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

ETHYL ACETATE

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

POTASSIUM

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Pentatriacontane

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Stigmasta-3,5-dien-7-one

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

TETRATETRACONTANE

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Activities

Vitex doniana has 4 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Antiproliferative, Antiseptic, Cytotoxic.

Antimalarial

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiproliferative

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Antiseptic

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Cytotoxic

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Medicinal Uses

Vitex doniana has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include HIV-1, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, antimalarial agent, antiseptic, cervical cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations