Vitex cannabifolia
| Vitex cannabifolia | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 10' |
| Blooms: | Early Fall-Mid Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Vitex cannabifolia
Propagation: Seed - sow March in a warm greenhouse. The seed does not need pre-treatment[1]. Germination is usually free and quick[1]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Good percentage[2].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, November in a cold frame[1].
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it is likely to succeed outdoors at least in the milder areas of the country. It is seen as no more than a subspecies of Vitex negundo in some recent floras[3]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Prefers a light well-drained loamy soil in a warm sunny position sheltered from cold drying winds[4][5]. Succeeds in dry soils. Intolerant of water-logging[6].
Flowers are produced at the ends of the current year's growth[6]. Any pruning is best carried out in the spring and should consist of cutting out dead wood and shortening last year's flowering branches[7].
Range: E. Asia - Western China.
Habitat: Hilly slopes and roadsides[8]. Mixed thickets on mountain slopes and along roadsides at elevations of 100 - 1100 metres[3].
Medicinal: The roots, leaves and fruits are antirheumatic, astringent, diaphoretic, diaphoretic, febrifuge and sedative[8]. A decoction is used in the treatment of dysentery, enteritis, malaria, heat stroke and arthralgia[8].
Usage: Used for fuel and charcoal[9].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Early Summer-Mid Fall
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall-Late Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ Arnold-Forster, William. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Davis, Brian. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking, 1990.
- ↑ Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ Stuart, George. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei Southern Materials Centre.