Rough finger-leaf
Vitex madiensis subsp. milanjiensis

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 1.5 m high. It has a large underground rootstock. It can be a tree 7 m high. There are 3-5 leaflets. They are narrowly oval and narrow to a short tip. The leaves have a smell when crushed. The flowers are in loose heads beside the leaves. The stalks are 4-12 cm long. There are many very small flowers.

It is a rich source of Vitamin C. Also put in the family Verbenaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 1,000-1,540 m above sea level. It can grow on sand and dunes.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten and the seeds discarded.

Fruit are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds.

In Tanzania the fruit are collected from March to July.

Its other names

Local names

Mfudu, Mufutukinka

Synonyms

Vitex epidictyodes Mildbr. ex W. Peip.; Vitex madiensis var. epidictyodes (Mildbr. ex W. Piep) Verdc.; Vitex madiensis var. milanjiensis (Britten) W. Piep.; Vitex madiensis var. schweinfurthii (Gurke) W. Piep.; Vitex milanjiensis Britten; Vitex ringoetii De Wild.;