Fulu, Mkombachiko, Mufuu
Vitex keniensis

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

Meru Oak, Vitex keniensis, is a fast-growing deciduous tree in the Verbenaceae family that is native to Kenya and is threatened by habitat loss. It grows up to 30 m in height and up to 300 cm in trunk diameter. It has a tall, straight trunk and light green compound leaves with five leaflets. The flowers are small and cream with one mauve petal lobe. The soft, black, ellipsoidal drupe fruits are edible. There is no known medicinal uses of this plant but it is planted as a windbreak and its wood is used for cabinet work, panelling, veneer, furniture, and coffin boards. The wood is also used for fuel.

Vitex keniensis is a deciduous Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 25 m (82ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 25

Where it is found

Moist evergreen forest and on thicketed rocky hills at elevations from 1,300 - 2,100 metres.

East tropical Africa - Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique.

Conservation Status: Status: Vulnerable A1cd+2cd

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Fruit - raw. Usually only eaten in times of food shortage. Another report says that the fruit is sold in local markets. The soft, black fruit is an ellipsoid drupe, 13 - 16mm long.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 4

Agroforestry Uses: The tree is planted as a windbreak. Fallen leaves make a useful mulch. Other Uses The very pale, greyish-brown wood is coarse textured with well-marked growth zones, and often with a wavy grain figure. The wood is hard and durable, said to be similar to teak. The heartwood of trees over 60cm in diameter is often dark and very decorative. It works easily and is used for cabinet work, panelling, veneer, furniture and coffin boards. The wood is used for fuel.

Fuel: Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.

Furniture: A few miscellaneous uses that do not fit easily into other headings.

Mulch: Used for covering the ground to conserve the nutrients in the soil.

Shelterbelt: Wind resistant plants than can be grown to provide shelter in the garden etc.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

A plant of the moist tropics where it is found growing at elevations up to 2,100 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 15 - 20°c, though it can tolerate 12 - 28°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall of 1,800 - 2,200mm, tolerating 1,500 - 2,500mm. Prefers a sunny position in a well-drained, deep, sandy-loam soil. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating 5 - 7.5. The tree coppices well.

Propagating it: Seed - when dried, it remains viable for at least 12 months in hermetic storage at 3?c. The seed has a dormancy that is probably physical - pre-soaking in cold water for 24 hours may improve germination rates. Sow the seed in a nursery seedbed. Germination is low and sporadic, typically 40 - 60% after 2 - 3 months.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

fulu, Mfuru, Mfuu, Mhuru, Mkombachiko, Mufuu, Muuru.

Synonyms

Vitex balbi Chiov.