Vitex keniensis
Vitex keniensis (also called Meru oak) is a species of plant in the family Lamiaceae.
| Vitex keniensis | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Vitex |
| Species: | V. keniensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Vitex keniensis Turrill | |
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.
References
- World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1998). "Vitex keniensis". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 1998: e.T33475A9786665. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T33475A9786665.en. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
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