Vitex montevidensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bignonia megapotamica
• Psilogyne viticifolia
• Vitex megapotamica f. albiflora
• Vitex megapotamica var. multinervis
• Vitex montevidensis
• Vitex montevidensis var. multinervis
• Vitex multinervis
• Vitex taruma
• Vitex viticifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several key regions in Western South America. Specifically, its presence has been recorded within the borders of Bolivia. Within Brazil, the species occupies a wide range of diverse ecological zones. It can be found throughout the West-Central, Northeast, and Southeast regions of the country. Additionally, its geographical reach extends into the southern part of Brazil.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vitex megapotamica is characterized by its presence in disturbed areas, where it thrives in environments impacted by human activity or natural ecological shifts. This species occupies a relatively low-altitude ecological niche, with an elevational range spanning from 0 m AMSL to a maximum of 500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Disturbed areas

Life history

The life history of Vitex megapotamica is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its woody structural elements above the ground, though it can also be classified under the nanophanerophyte life form depending on the specific environmental scale of its growth habit. Its seasonal cycle is marked by being deciduous, meaning it sheds its foliage periodically, typically in response to seasonal shifts in climate or temperature.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vitex megapotamica is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, reaching a significant stature with a plant height that averages and can extend up to a maximum of 20 m. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite, maintaining a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a liana, vine, or any other type of climber. The species is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, functioning neither as an aquatic, semiaquatic, nor epiphytic plant. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, supporting its substantial height and upright development in its natural environment.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vitex megapotamica is characterized by its metabolic efficiency and nutrient acquisition strategies. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common mechanism for woody species in its habitat, where carbon fixation occurs directly through the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle. This process involves the initial fixation of atmospheric CO2 into three-carbon compounds, necessitating specific adaptations to manage transpiration and gas exchange in varying environmental conditions. Furthermore, Vitex megapotamica is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (such as rhizobia) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system to satisfy its nitrogen requirements for protein synthesis and growth.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vitex megapotamica has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. Journal of medicinal food

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Vitex megapotamica has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antidepressant, Antinociceptive.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antidepressant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antinociceptive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Vitex megapotamica has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include depression, edema, hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia, nociception.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations