Vitex keniensis
Appearance
Vitex keniensis | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Lamiaceae |
Genus: | Vitex |
Species: | V. keniensis
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Binomial name | |
Vitex keniensis Turrill
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Vitex keniensis (also called Meru oak) is a species of plant in the family Lamiaceae.
It is threatened by habitat loss. It is a magnificent tree when mature, being one of the largest trees that are native to Kenya. Due to its use as a source of wood that is both durable and has an attractive grain it has been severely over-exploited and is now very rare.
Description
Vitex keniensis has a tall, straight trunk and light green leaves with five leaflets arranged in a vaguely star-like formation. Each leaflet can be up to 25 cm long with a prominent midrib.
Young trees are particularly susceptible to a disease of the leaves that produces "bubbles" all over the upper surface of the leaves but which does not appear to affect the growth of the tree.
Sources
- World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1998). "Vitex keniensis". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1998. IUCN: e.T33475A9786665. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T33475A9786665.en. Retrieved 16 December 2017.