Vitex elmeri Moldenke

Gentallan Jr., Renerio P., Sengun, Seda, Bartolome, Michael Cedric B., Quiñones, Kristine Joyce O., Coronado, Nadine B., Borromeo, Teresita H. & Timog, Emmanuel Bonifacio S., 2024, The Vitex trifolia complex (Lamiaceae) in the Philippines, PhytoKeys 248, pp. 1-40 : 1-40

3. Vitex elmeri Moldenke , Phytologia 38: 307 (1978)

Figs 14 , 15

Type.

Philippines, Union Province, Bauang, Feb. 1904, Elmer 5611 (holotype: NY [NY 00138505]).

Description.

Shrub to small tree, sometimes bushy, 1–4 m high. Leaves (3 –) 5–7 - foliolate; terminal leaflet narrowly elliptic to elliptic, 4.0–12.0 by 0.7–3.5 cm, 2.5–8.4 times as long as wide; lateral leaflets 2.9–10.0 by 0.5–2.7 cm, 2.5–9.0 times as long as wide; basal leaflets 0.6–6.7 by 0.2–1.8 cm, 1.1–4.5 times as long as wide; apex acuminate, base acute, margin entire at maturity (with dentation in the middle only when young), glabrous above to very sparsely pubescent below, with the midrib and veins covered with erect villous hairs; petiole 1.4–5.5 cm long, angular in cross-section, covered with villous hairs; petiolules 0–1.4 cm long. Inflorescences paniculate, terminal axis 3–15 cm long, angular in cross-section; flowers in dense lateral clusters on peduncles up to 5 mm long; tomentose, hairs erect; bracteoles linear up to 3 mm long. Calyx 5 - lobed, clearly 5 - ribbed; lobes 0.5–1.3 by 0.6–1.2 mm, clearly developed, acute to acuminate, persistent, villous; glands few; flowering calyx, excluding the lobes, 1.4–2.2 mm long; fruiting calyx 1.6–2.5 mm diameter, fully enclosing the mature fruit. Corolla 5 - lobed, pink; covered with appressed hairs, glands few; lower lip 2.0–3.5 by 2.0–4.0 mm, usually reflexed, apex cuneate to acute, margin entire, two well-developed ridges at corolla mouth, yellow; lateral lobes 1.2–2.4 by 1.0– 2.5 mm, apex rounded to subacute, patent. Stamens: filaments 2.1–4.2 mm long, slightly to strongly didynamous, inserted halfway on the corolla tube. Ovary globose, 0.6–1.0 by 0.6–0.9 mm, glabrous; style 2.0– 3.6 mm long; stigma lobes 0.4–0.8 mm long. Fruit light to dark brown when mature; dried obovoid to cylindrical, 1.8–3.1 by 0.4–0.8 mm, apex truncate, glabrous, smooth.

Phenology.

Produces flowers and fruits all year round.

Habitat and ecology.

Growing primarily in disturbed habitats (i. e. farmlands, cemeteries, wastelands) and in cultivation, but also recorded along thickets in secondary forests, and roadsides. Altitude: usually on hills and slopes, 50– 500 m.

Distribution.

Endemic in the Philippines, throughout North- to South-western Luzon, with cultivation records in Agusan del Norte, Iloilo, Antique.

Vernacular names.

lagundi (Tagalog, Bisaya), dangla (Ilokano)

Conservation status.

IUCN assessment gives the extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occurrence (AOO), as greater than the threshold for the vulnerable category, thus the status would be least concern (LC).

Notes.

1. V. elmeri is currently synonymized under V. negundo , however, based on our integrative evidence, we propose to reinstate this taxon.

2. This species is predominantly used as a medicinal plant in the Northwestern part of Luzon. It pervades in disturbed areas, and the remaining populations may be remnants of its natural habitat which had now been developed. Their seeds also germinate in situ.

3. The species differs from V. negundo by having completely entire leaflets, with veins at the undersurface covered by villous indumentum, at maturity; flowers with pink lower lip; and fruits always drying brown at maturity.

4. There is a diversity of chlorotypes present for this taxon.

Documented uses (in the Philippines).

Decoction of leaves prepared for flu, cough, and malaria; extracted juice from leaves by grinding for cough (internal use); utilized in preference in some parts of the Ilocos region.

Specimens examined.

Philippines. Ilocos Norte: Banna, Balioeg, 100 m alt., Nov 1975, Iwatsuki 11 (L. 2775183); Currimao, Bimmanga, 1984, Vendivil & Fernando 160201 (PNH); Carasi, Sinaligan, 1984, Vendivil & Fernando 160467 (PNH); Nueva Era, Sto. Niño, Nov 1986, Vendivil & Fernando 165304 (PNH); Bangui, Mt. Napidad, 500 m alt., Feb 1997, H. Garcia & L. Fernando 25321 (L. 4216269); Ilocos Sur: Sta. Maria, Dec 1958, M. L. Steiner 39796 (PNH); La Union: Tubao, Anduyan, <500 m alt., Feb 1912, Vanoverbergh & Skent s. n. (BR 0000026253473 V); Pangasinan: Bautista, Jul 1903, Merrill 2876 (US 03805806); Balungao, Mt. Balungao, 1908, Darling & Merritt 14051 (US 03805859); Darling & Merritt 14063 (BR 0000034903858); San Juan, San Carlos, May 1909, M. Ramos 8292 (L. 2775179, L. 2775180); Umingan, Apr 1914, Otanes 17995 (US 03805811); Mt. Province: Ambuklao, Agno River, Nov 1953, Quisumbing 18826 (US 03805838, L. 2775182); Ifugao, Luta, 500 m alt., Klock 91 (US 02782038); Abra: Feb 1909, Darling 16562 (L. 27751881); M. Ramos 7215 (BR 0000034903865); Cagayan: Sta. Praxedes, San Juan, 520 m alt., Aug 1995, H. Garcia et al. 18454 (L. 4216254); Peñablanca, San Roque, 1975, Vendivil & Fernando 125368 (PNH); Isabela: Cauayan, Jun 1902, Merrill 147 (US 03805855); Nueva Vizcaya: Dupax, Mar 1912, R. C. McGregor 11471 (E 01121242); Tarlac: Concepcion, Nov 1903, Merrill 3627 (L. 2775186); Nueva Ecija: General Mamerto Natividad, Pulong Singkamas, Sep 1908, R. C. McGregor 5259 (L. 2775185); San Jose, Camanacsacan, Feb 1955, R. Martin 35234 (PNH); Batangas: Calatagan, 50 m alt., Jan 1949, E. Quisumbing 6578 (PNH).

Figures

Figure 14. Morphological characteristics of V. elmeri A branch with inflorescence B sixth fully unfolded leaf C abaxial leaf lamina surface D – F flower G inflorescence unit H – I mature fruit with and without calyx.

Figure 15. Natural distribution of Vitex elmeri in the Philippines.