Keleban
Vitex pinnata

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

Vitex pinnata is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 20

Where it is found

Comparatively dry regions in lowland forest, especially in more open habitats, secondary forests and river banks. Occurs gregariously in secondary forest and is a pioneer species in Imperata cylindrica vegetation and recently burnt grasslands.

E. Asia - Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Bangladesh; Cambodia; India; Indonesia; Lao People's Democratic Republic; Malaysia; Myanmar; Philippines; Singapore; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Viet Nam

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

A decoction of the bark is used to treat stomach-ache. A poultice of the leaves is used to treat fevers and wounds.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.

Other

Rating: 4

Agroforestry Uses: The tree has been used in replanting schemes to reclaim imperata grasslands in Asia. It is one of the recommended trees in its native range for planting as a shade tree. Other Uses The yellow-brown to dark-brown wood is fine-grained, heavy, very hard and durable. The timber, though not commercially important due to its small dimensions, is favoured locally for construction, household goods, tool handles, boats and implements. The wood produces a high quality charcoal that is compatible and competitive with mangrove charcoal in international markets.

Charcoal: Used for fuel, drawing, deodorant, filter, fertilizer etc.

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

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

How it is grown

Vitex pinnata is common in comparatively dry regions in lowland forest, where it can be found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It is found in areas where the mean annual rainfall is within the range 590 - 1,500mm, and the mean annual temperature 20 - 32°c. Young trees grow moderately slowly, with a mean annual diameter increment of 0.6 cm and slightly over 1 cm in Myanmar and Java respectively. One year-old seedlings may reach 2 metres in height, mean annual height increment for the first 15 years after planting is about 1 metre. Planted trees start to flower after 11 - 12 years in Java. Planting should be done early in the rainy season. Generally at m x 3 metres, occasionally at 1 x 1 - 2 metres on very fertile soils. For charcoal production, stands planted at densities of 2,500 trees/ha have yielded 16 - 18 tonnes of charcoal in 4 years. Moderately fire resistant.

Propagating it: Seed - pre-soaking the seeds for 15 seconds in hot water stimulates and increases germination. Seeds start to germinate 10 - 40 days after sowing with a germination rate of 60 - 80%. Seed can be stored for 1 year after depulping. Under dense forest canopy germination is completely inhibited, but the seeds remain dormant and viable for more than 6 months. Seed under light shade differentiates into 2 fractions: one with seeds germinating within 2 months, the other with seeds remaining dormant and only germinating when exposed to full sunlight.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

keleban

Synonyms

Pistaciovitex pinnata (L.) Kuntze Vitex arborea Roxb. Vitex articulata Steud. Vitex bracteata Horsf.