Vitex rotundifolia

Vitex rotundifolia, commonly known as beach vitex, is a resilient perennial shrub native to coastal regions. While primarily valued for its stabilizing role in preventing beach erosion, this hardy plant also holds significance in traditional ethnobotany, offering potential medicinal applications due to its unique chemical properties and coastal adaptability.

  • Scientific name: Vitex rotundifolia
  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Further down its taxonomic lineage, it is situated in the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Lamiales, and the family Lamiaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its genus, Vitex.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Lamiales WCVP
Family Lamiaceae WCVP
Genus Vitex WCVP

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across various regions of East Asia. In China, its distribution spans from the northern reaches of Manchuria to the North-Central provinces. It is also commonly found throughout the China Southeast region. Beyond mainland China, the species is widely distributed across the island nation of Japan. Finally, its range extends to include the Korean Peninsula.

Region Area Source
China Manchuria WCVP
China China North-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
Eastern Asia Japan WCVP
Eastern Asia Korea WCVP
Eastern Asia Kazan-retto WCVP
Eastern Asia Nansei-shoto WCVP
Eastern Asia Ogasawara-shoto WCVP
Eastern Asia Taiwan WCVP
Indian Subcontinent India WCVP

Chemicals

Vitex rotundifolia has 26 reported phytochemicals identified across 33 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include artemetin, luteolin, vitexicarpin, 10-O-vanilloylaucubin, 5,3'-dihydroxy-6,7,4'-trimethoxyflavanone.

Total chemicals
26
Scientific sources
33

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
artemetin 4 ★★☆☆☆
luteolin 3 ★★☆☆☆
vitexicarpin 3 ★★☆☆☆
10-O-vanilloylaucubin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
5,3'-dihydroxy-6,7,4'-trimethoxyflavanone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
6',10-di-O-(4-hydroxybenzoyl) aucubin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Vitexicarpin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
agnuside 1 ★☆☆☆☆
casticin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hesperidin 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Vitex rotundifolia has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiasthmatic, Antioxidant, Chemopreventive.

Total activities
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antiasthmatic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Chemopreventive 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Vitex rotundifolia has 15 reported medicinal uses identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include eye pain, headache, migraine, Plasmodium falciparum, breast cancer.

Total uses
15
Scientific sources
18

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
eye pain 2 ★☆☆☆☆
headache 2 ★☆☆☆☆
migraine 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Plasmodium falciparum 1 ★☆☆☆☆
breast cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
chronic bronchitis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
colorectal cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
infections 1 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
lung cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆