Scrambling fingerleaf, Three finger-leaf
Vitex harveyana

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3-7 m tall. It is slightly hairy. The branches have lines along them or are angled. The leaves are opposite and compound. The leaf stalk is slender and 3 cm long. The leaves have 3 or 5 leaflets. The blades are oval and slightly wavy along the edge. The leaves are 8 cm long by 4 cm wide. The flowering stalks are in the axils of leaves. The flowers are in a loose clusters. They are mauve or white. The fruit is round and black. It is 1.2 cm across.

Also put in the family Verbenaceae.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Mbidvongo, Umbendula, Umkhosikati, Whorled finger-leaf

Synonyms

Vitex geminata; Vitex schlechteri;