Vitex helogiton K.Schum. & Lauterb.

Schumann, K. & Lauterbach, K. (1905) Nachtrage zu Flora der Deutschen Schutzgebiete in der Sudsee : 369. Type: Kaiser-Wilhelmsland: Erste Augusta-Station, in der Niederung (Hollrung n. 672, bl. Aug. 1887).

Dead bark layered.

Leaflet blades about 5-17 x 3-7 cm, non-glandular, midrib depressed on the upper surface. Lateral veins about 6-15 pairs. Domatia are tufts of hairs.

Inflorescence in the axils of the upper leaves, shorter than the leaves, minutely puberulous, about 6-22 cm long. Pedicels pubescent, about 1-4 mm long. Calyx cupuliform, 5-toothed at the apex, pubescent outside, glabrous within, tube +/- cylindrical, about 2-3 x 1.5-2 mm, lobes small, about 0.3-0.5 mm long. Corolla 2-lipped and 5-lobed in the upper half, tubular below, pubescent but not glandular outside, densely purple villous inside, the tube with hairs extending to the large midlobe on the lower lip. Tube about 5-7 x 2-3 mm, lobes about 3-4 mm long, +/- cylindrical, inflated upwards, at least twice as long as the calyx. Stamens 4, exserted, anther filaments filiform, one pair longer than the other pair, villous at least in the lower half. Anthers in female flowers can look quite normal but lack pollen but may have pollen-like glands attached to the lower margins. Ovary ovoid-globose, villous at the top, glabrous below, about 1 mm diam. Style exserted, glabrous, filiform, about 7-10 mm long, stigma shortly bifid.

Fruits obovoid or oblong-obovoid, glabrous, about 8-20 x 6-13 mm. Calyx accrescent, persistent at the base. Seed enclosed in a stone about 14 x 5 mm, seeds about 8 x 3 mm. Embryo about 7 mm long, cotyledons much wider than the radicle.

Cotyledons ovate or oblong, about 11-20 x 7-10 mm, emarginate at the apex. First pair of leaves ovate, margins toothed. At the tenth leaf stage: leaves ovate or elliptic, apex acute or acuminate, base cuneate, midrib depressed on the upper surface, upper 2/3 of the leaf blade margin toothed, glabrous on the upper surface; petiole, stem and terminal bud clothed in short, pale hairs. Seed germination time 21 to 25 days.

Occurs in CYP and NEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 400 m. Grows in gallery forest and drier, more seasonal rain forest. Also occurs in Malesia.