Vitex pinnata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across several key regions. Within the Western Indian Ocean, it is notably found in Madagascar. Its distribution extends significantly into the Indian Subcontinent, where it grows in India and Bangladesh. Furthermore, the species is prevalent in the specific area of Assam. Finally, it can also be located within the East Himalaya region of the Indian Subcontinent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Vitex pinnata is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a trait consistent with both its phanerophyte life form classifications. Furthermore, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, retaining its foliage throughout much of its life cycle rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vitex pinnata is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, which can reach a significant plant height ranging from a mean of 20 m up to a maximum of 24 m. As a self-supporting organism, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit parasitic behavior, maintaining an independent life cycle. This species is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking any aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, and it does not grow as an epiphyte in any form, such as holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, supporting its stature as a large, independent tree within its ecosystem.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

24 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vitex pinnata is characterized by a specific metabolic framework and nutrient acquisition strategy. As a plant utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway, its carbon fixation process occurs primarily through the Calvin cycle, where the enzyme RuBisCO facilitates the initial carboxylation of CO2 within the mesophyll cells. This pathway dictates its water-use efficiency and metabolic response to varying light and temperature intensities. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria (such as Rhizobium) necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium present in the soil through its root system to meet its nitrogenous requirements for protein and nucleic acid synthesis.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vitex pinnata is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying primarily on animal vectors to facilitate fertilization. Specifically, the plant utilizes insect pollination to ensure successful cross-pollination and genetic exchange. The reproductive output is finalized through the production of seeds with highly consistent physical properties; each seed possesses a uniform mass of 0.095 g, with the minimum, maximum, and mean seed mass all recorded at this exact value.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.095 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vitex pinnata has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Journal of natural medicines

Preparations

Vitex pinnata has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol extracts.

Methanol extracts

1. Journal of natural medicines