Black fruit, Black grape, Black-plum
Vitex glabrata

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A moderate sized tree. It grows 7-12-25 m high. The crown is rounded. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are opposite and have 3 leaflets. The central leaflet is the longest. The leaflet blade is 4-18.5 cm long and 3-10 cm wide. Leaves are smooth and dark green on the upper surface. The leaf stalk can be 3-10 cm long. The flowers are cream with a purple throat. The are tube shaped and finely hairy. Flowers are 0.8-1 cm long. They occur on forked flower stalks which form flower arrangements 6-18 cm long by 10-18 cm wide. The fruit are smooth and round. They are 0.5-1.5 cm long by 1-1.5 cm wide. The calyx hangs on at the base. They are purple-black when ripe. They have 4 seeds in a hard shell.

Also put in the family Verbenaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows naturally in coastal monsoon vine forests. It is often just above the beach on stable foreshores. It needs well drained soils. It grows up to 900 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Timor, USA

How it is used for food

The very ripe fruit are eaten. They can be cooked or sun dried and stored.

The fruit are highly regarded. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Ankurndalh, Ashal, Bandikari, Bhadu, Bhodiya, Bigbul, Bihbul, Gentileng, Inger, Jungli pyinma, Kaping-asing, Ketileng, Khai nao, Ki now, Laban ketileng tileng, Langathang-thang, Leban keling, Mak-lok-kaing, Mandjara, Meroko, Panameikli, Pani-amora, Pohon piteka halus, Serlung-baphang, Smooth chastetree, Tauksha, Tauk-kya, Wurnika, Yauru, Yoma wood

Synonyms

Vitex cunninghamii Schauer;