Stahel chastetree
Vitex stahelii
Family: Lamiaceae
What it is like
A tree. It grows 45 m high. The trunk is 30-60 cm across. There are spur roots near the base. The leaves are opposite. The leaves have 5 leaflets. They are arranged like fingers on hand. The leaf stalks are 5-13 cm long. The flower panicles are 2-5 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. The fruit is round and fleshy. It is 1.7 cm across. It is green and turns reddish with green dots. The pulp is edible. The covering of the nut is 1.2 cm long by 1 cm wide and has grooves along it.
Also put in the family Verbenaceae.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in upland rainforest.
Countries/locations it is found in
Guianas, Guyana, South America, Suriname, Venezuela
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants are grown by seeds.
In Guyana it flowers March to April and fruits May to July.
Its other names
Local names
Hakiaballi, Kalebashout, Krabasi-oedoe, Malocopessi, Totumillo, Totumillo morado