Family Verbenaceae | Genus Vitex Rank Species | |
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Similar Vitex parviflora, Vitex lignum‑vitae, Vitex gaumeri, Lobelia telekii, Ocotea usambarensis | ||
Vitex keniensis (also called Meru Oak) is a species of plant in the Verbenaceae family.
It is endemic to Kenya.
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.