Golden vitex
Vitex isotjensis

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 2-7 m tall. The bark is light grey to brown and smooth. All the parts when young are covered with long golden hairs. The leaves have 5 leaflets. The lower two are smaller. The leaflets are oval but fatter at the top end. They are 7.5 cm long by 3.5 cm wide. The end leaflet is the largest. They are light green with soft golden hairs on both surfaces. The edges have irregular teeth. The flowers are pale blue or white. The are small and have 2 lips. The lower one is often purple. They occur in branched heads in the axils of leaves. The heads are 2-7 cm across. They have a common stalk up to 5 cm long. The fruit is oval and fleshy. It is 1-1.5 cm long and purplish-black when mature. There is a cup at the base. This has teeth around the edge. The fruit are edible.

Also put in the family Verbenaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs in open woodland on rocky outcrops. It is also along the edges of rivers and in coastal bush.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Vitex patula E.A.Bruce;