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Vitex rotundifolia

L.f. (1782)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Asterids Order: Lamiales Family: Lamiaceae Genus: Vitex

beach vitex, hinahina kolo, kolokolo kahakai, mānawanawa [mawanawana], māwanawana, pōhinahina [pohinahina], pōlinalina (O‘ahu), pōlinalina [polinalina]

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Low, branched shrubs.

Stems: Stems procumbent often rooting at the nodes, forming mats several m in diameter, side branches ascending to erect, usually 1–3 dm long.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple or rarely compound (palmate). Opposite or whorled (3 per node). Blades obovate to suborbicular; simple or with with 2–3 leaflets, 2–6.5 cm long, 1-4.5 cm wide. Apex rounded, rarely some of the upper ones short-acuminate. Base attenuate. Upper surfaces pale green, densely puberulent; lower surfaces grayish white, densely tomentose; aromatic when crushed, with a sagelike odor. Margins entire. Petioles 0–1 cm long. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers usually 3 in cymes aggregated in narrow paniculate inflorescences 3–7 cm long, white or grayish tomentose throughout, bracteoles linear, 1–2 mm long. Flowers bisexual (perfect). Calyx cup-shaped, 4–4.5 mm long, enlarging somewhat up to ca. 5 mm long in fruit, 5–nerved, 5-toothed, the teeth very short, ca. 0.6–0.7 mm long, very. densely white tomentose. Corolla bilabiate, bluish purple, narrowly funnelform, densely puberulent externally, the tube ca. 8 mm long, upper 2 lobes ca. 3.5 mm long, margins recurved, lateral lobe ca. 4–4.2 mm long, lower lobe ca. 7.3–7.8 mm long, with 2 white short–pilose markings at base; nectary disk often present at base of ovary, annular or developed on anterior side only. Stamens 4, in 2 pairs, exserted from corolla tube, aligned with the sinuses; filaments ca. 9–10 mm long, pilose toward base; anthers dithecal, opening by longitudinal slits. Ovary superior, 2-carpellate, at first incompletely 2-celled, eventually becoming usually 4-celled; ovules 1 per cell; style 1, ca. 12 mm long, arising between lobes, exserted from corolla tube; placentation basal-axile; stigmas 2.

Fruit: Fruit drupaceous; fleshy; 4-celled; green; turning yellow and red–tinged; becoming bluish black at maturity; slightly depressed–globose; ca. 6 mm in diameter; endocarp hard. Seeds 1 per cell; obovate or oblong; endosperm absent.

Ploidy: 2n = 32; 34*

Habitat: Sandy beaches; shores; and dunes.

Elevation Range: 0–15 m.

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

  • Flowers used in lei (McDonald 1989:67).

PROPAGATION/CULTIVATION

  • The round fruits of Vitex rotundifolia are about 1/4 inch in diameter and bluish purple to black when ripe.
  • The seeds are difficult to remove from the fruit, but the entire fruit can be planted. Soak the fruits for 48 hours to soften them before planting. The germination medium should be kept somewhat dry. Germination takes 3 to 6 months. (Koob 1998)
  • Vitex rotundifolia can be grown from cuttings taken when the plants are not in flower or fruit. NTBG recommends tip cuttings 4 inches long with at least 2 nodes and removing the leaves from the cuttings. Criley notes that they should be non-flowering terminals.
  • Vitex rotundifolia can be rooted without any hormone treatment. However, using a mild rooting hormone (e.g. 0.05% indolebutyric acid (IBA) and 0.025% naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)) (Koob, email) will increase rooting success. Criley found that treatments with IBA, Hormex Nos. 3, 8, and 16 all improved root quality. Cuttings should be rooted in a well-drained rooting medium such as 3 parts perlite to 1 part vermiculite. Rooting takes 3 to 4 weeks under mist. (Criley 1998; Criley 1999; NTBG 1992; Koob 1998) [Data from Herring, E. C., & Criley, R. A. (2003). The Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Web Site: Developing a Webbased Information Resource. HortTechnology, 13(3), 545-548. https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/hawnprop/]

Ethnobotanical Images

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Natural History

Statewide Status

Indigenous

Island Status

Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Indigenous
Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Only found in cultivation
Kaua'i Indigenous
O'ahu Indigenous
Molokai Indigenous
Lana'i Indigenous
Maui Indigenous
Hawai'i Indigenous

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Notes

  • Description digitized by Ellena Ruiz
  • Description digitized from the Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii
  • also known as Beach vitex, kolokolo kahakai, hinahina kolo, mānawanawa, māwana-wono, pōhinahina, pōlinalina

Bibliography

Name Published In: Suppl. Pl.: 294 (1782)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1326 (Ni, K, O, Mo, L, M, H); Staples & Herbst 2005:567 (KEY), 568 (DESCR)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Vitex rotundifolia Near Makua Beach, Oahu Preserved_Specimen Kerr, M. 3422 Oahu BISH 1945-12-25
2 Vitex rotundifolia Kaena Point Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. Lanai BISH 1915-12-02
3 Vitex rotundifolia Kaena Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 122 Lanai BISH 1913-09-14
4 Vitex rotundifolia Waimanalo Preserved_Specimen Livermore, K. Oahu BISH 1933-06-01
5 Vitex rotundifolia Kiekie Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Niihau BISH 1912-01-01
6 Vitex rotundifolia Nohili, Barking Sands, STARS (Strategic Target System) site. Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. Kauai BISH 1990-07-29
7 Vitex rotundifolia Yokohama Bay to Kaena Pt Preserved_Specimen Kondo, Y. Oahu BISH 1958-05-01
8 Vitex rotundifolia Mana Preserved_Specimen Heller, A.A. 2731 Kauai BISH 1895-08-20
9 Vitex rotundifolia Kaena coast Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 90 Lanai BISH 1913-09-19
10 Vitex rotundifolia West Maui, Waihee. Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. 1303 Maui BISH 1990-05-14
11 Vitex rotundifolia Barking Sands Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 10841 Kauai BISH 1930-12-24
12 Vitex rotundifolia Haleiwa Bay Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 43 Oahu BISH 1908-12-03
13 Vitex rotundifolia Haleiwa Bay, Oahu Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 43 Oahu BISH 1908-12-03
14 Vitex rotundifolia Leilehua Plain, Oahu Preserved_Specimen Wilder, G.P. Oahu BISH 1912-01-01
15 Vitex rotundifolia East Maui, Hana Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Maui BISH 1933-01-01
16 Vitex rotundifolia Paumalu Preserved_Specimen Meebold, A. Oahu BISH 1932-05-01
17 Vitex rotundifolia Waimanalo Beach Preserved_Specimen Suehiro, A. Oahu BISH 1932-05-15
18 Vitex rotundifolia Hawaii Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. Hawaii BISH
19 Vitex rotundifolia unknown Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 11246 BISH 1930-10-02
20 Vitex rotundifolia unknown Preserved_Specimen Wilder, G.P. BISH 1913-01-01
21 Vitex rotundifolia beach at mouth of Makua valley, on shifting sand within 50 ft of the highwater line. field no. Waianae_389 a Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 2442 Oahu BISH 1985-09-01
22 Vitex rotundifolia beach at mouth of Makua Valley Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 2444 Oahu BISH 1985-09-01
23 Vitex rotundifolia Wailua, Oahu On sand dunes Preserved_Specimen Moldenke, H.N. 21808 Oahu BISH 1961-08-13
24 Vitex rotundifolia unknown Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. BISH
25 Vitex rotundifolia beach near Kewaula strand zone Preserved_Specimen ~prostrate Takeuchi, W.N. Oahu BISH 1985-09-01
26 Vitex rotundifolia Laie top of beach Preserved_Specimen prostrate shrub, fls. purple, leaves aromatic. Fosberg, F.R. 14184 Oahu BISH 1937-07-04
27 Vitex rotundifolia District of South Hilo. East of Richardson's Beach Park toward Leleiwi Point along shore Rocky coastline with disturbed coastal vegetation. Native spp.: Scaevola sericea, Vigna marina, Vitex rotundifolia, Pandanus tectorius. Thespesia populnea. Naturalized spp.: Casuarina equisetifolia, Cocos nucifera. Preserved_Specimen Price, J.P. 73 Hawaii BISH 2001-08-06
28 Vitex rotundifolia Haleiwa, Oahu On beach. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 11245 Oahu BISH 1922-08-20
29 Vitex rotundifolia Anini, E Hanalei top of beach Preserved_Specimen prostrate, tangled, woody vine; stems to 2 cm thick, branches ascending, leaves grayish; buds only Fosberg, F.R. 56709 Kauai BISH 1977-03-12
30 Vitex rotundifolia Hilo Bay rocks back of beach Preserved_Specimen scandent shrub with purplish-blue flowers Herbst, D.R. 5512 Hawaii BISH 1975-10-20
31 Vitex rotundifolia Ahupuaa of Waimanalo, ili of Koonapou. Near Makapuu. Coastal plant on side of Kalanianaole hwy with Sida fallax, Leucaena leucocephala, Cuscuta campestris, Asystasia gangetica, Cocos nucifera, and others. Preserved_Specimen Prostrate, trailing plant with velvety leaves and purple flowers. The leaves on some parts trilobed and some leaves more fused. Underside of leaves pale grey/white. Thomas, M.K. 903 Oahu BISH 2024-10-28
32 Vitex rotundifolia Just west of Haena State Beach Just behind beach. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1978-06-13
33 Vitex rotundifolia Kalaupapa trail low thicket, costal dune Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 25252 Molokai BISH 1953-12-25
34 Vitex rotundifolia Windward Oahu - Waimanalo Beach Soil: sand, Veg. Type: littoral Preserved_Specimen flowers - blue purple Stemmermann, R.L. 402 Oahu BISH 1972-07-15
35 Vitex rotundifolia Barking Sands dunes Preserved_Specimen decombent, trailing shrub with erect 2' long branches. Leaves silvery-green. Flowers blue-purple. Aromatic when crushed Herbst, D.R. 997 Kauai BISH 1968-03-29
36 Vitex rotundifolia Lanikai, Kailua sand flat Preserved_Specimen flowers bluish white Fosberg, F.R. 8881 Oahu BISH 1932-10-19
37 Vitex rotundifolia Kawailoa On beach. Preserved_Specimen Moore, J.W. Oahu BISH 1929-07-14
38 Vitex rotundifolia Mahaulepu, Ka Lae Paoo hot sandy beach Preserved_Specimen Stone, B.C. 730 Kauai BISH 1955-06-14
39 Vitex rotundifolia Hanalei District Kalalau Beach Beach dune Aleurites moluccanus, Terminalia catappa Preserved_Specimen Sprawling plant up to 0.5 m tall. Wolkis, D. 1256 Kauai BISH 2020-09-12
40 Vitex rotundifolia W of Kehaha, along the beach Along the beach. In this area it forms large, sprawling colonies. Aalii, koli, kaliko, buffel grass and koa hoale are also common in the plant community. Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. 920041 Kauai BISH 1992-04-13
41 Vitex rotundifolia Pohakumauliuli dunes Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 9507 Molokai BISH 1928-04-28
42 Vitex rotundifolia Bluff above Kaena Point sand dunes Preserved_Specimen Prostrate shrub. Flowering branches erect. Flowers blue-purple. Fosberg, F.R. 13148 Oahu BISH 1936-05-31
43 Vitex rotundifolia Waimea District. Polihale State Park Coastal sand dunes with Ipomoea pes-caprae and introduced shrubby species. Preserved_Specimen Shrub with trailing stems, node-rooting, leaves aromatic, grayish green. Corolla pale violet. Lorence, D.H. 5256 Kauai BISH 1987-05-23
44 Vitex rotundifolia Mokuleia, Oahu Coastal dunes Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 10018 Oahu BISH 1935-06-12
45 Vitex rotundifolia Kaena Point Dominant in lee of large dunes. Preserved_Specimen Shrub, now erect, now decumbent, 1-3 ft. tall. Flowers bluish-purple, attractive. Hatheway, W.H. 139 Oahu BISH 1950-06-16
46 Vitex rotundifolia Kaena Point Rocky slopes and sand, rocky shore with tidepools. (Algae-Acetabularia noted in tidepools). Preserved_Specimen Slightly less common. Stone, B.C. 2721 Oahu BISH 1959-01-27
47 Vitex rotundifolia Waimanalo; Oahu Coastal dune. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 11247 Oahu BISH 1923-04-08
48 Vitex rotundifolia Between Kaena Point and Kaiaka Bay, north shore of Oahu Coral sand ridges along beach Preserved_Specimen Harris, J.A. 242201 Oahu BISH 1924-09-04
49 Vitex rotundifolia Zoological and Botanical Garden, Spreckelsville countryclub beach, in reach of spray Preserved_Specimen Davis, J. 44 Maui BISH 1978-07-03
50 Vitex rotundifolia Kaena Point sand dunes near sea-level Preserved_Specimen Common; brs. prostrate with ult. fl. twigs erect; fls. blue. Webster, G.L. 13843 Oahu BISH 1968-06-22
51 Vitex rotundifolia Polihale Beach Dune area. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1977-09-24
52 Vitex rotundifolia Kaa, Kanepuu sand dunes Preserved_Specimen erect or trailing shrub; flowers blue St.John, H. 18828 Lanai BISH 1938-04-13
53 Vitex rotundifolia Bellow Airfield Beach Park Low dunes behind beach. Preserved_Specimen Shrub with long prostrate branches up to 3 m long and short erect flowering branches. Leaves light green above, white below. Flowers pale purple on outside, bright purplish blue on inside, lower lip with 2 longitudinal, median white spots with darker purple eges. Fruits dark wine red, not entirely ripe. Entire plant with strong smell of cats. van Royen, P. 10192 Oahu BISH 1967-10-22
54 Vitex rotundifolia Mokulua South, Oahu. Near landing Preserved_Specimen Rare. One patch near landing. Planted. Starr, F. 5022323 Oahu BISH 2005-02-23
55 Vitex rotundifolia North of Waianae On sand dunes near sea Preserved_Specimen Low shrub Hume, E.P. 230 Oahu BISH 1931-10-08
56 Vitex rotundifolia Waimanalo Edge of beach Preserved_Specimen shrub, 5 m tall Fosberg, F.R. 10360 Oahu BISH 1933-10-22
57 Vitex rotundifolia Puuhonua o Hanounau National Historical Park highway Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 10301 Hawaii BISH 1984-04-08
58 Vitex rotundifolia Near Waimanalo, Koolaupoko District Sand dunes Preserved_Specimen Baker, R.J. 253 Oahu BISH 1932-07-10
59 Vitex rotundifolia Haleiwa Point, Waialua Common on flat coral rock and thin sand; full sun. Preserved_Specimen Stems prostrate with acsending branches, forming large low masses; flowers lavender-purple. Fosberg, F.R. 27125 Oahu BISH 1946-10-20
60 Vitex rotundifolia Waimanalo, Oahu Coastal dunes. Preserved_Specimen Topping, D.L. 3012 Oahu BISH 1925-02-01
61 Vitex rotundifolia Barking Sands dunes Preserved_Specimen decombent, trailing shrub with erect 2' long branches. Leaves silvery-green. Flowers blue-purple. Aromatic when crushed Herbst, D.R. 997 Kauai BISH 1968-03-29
62 Vitex rotundifolia Haleiwa Point, Waialua Common on flat coral rock and thin sand; full sun. Preserved_Specimen Stems prostrate with acsending branches, forming large low masses; flowers lavender-purple. Fosberg, F.R. 27125 Oahu BISH 1946-10-20
63 Vitex rotundifolia Anini Beach, Kalihikai sandy Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 23100 Kauai BISH 1947-12-28
64 Vitex rotundifolia Haena top of coral sand beach Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 13982 Kauai BISH 1934-01-02
65 Vitex rotundifolia Waihu beach, sand above level of Boehavia, Portulacastrum and Ipomoea littoris Preserved_Specimen shrub, aromatic, semiprostrate, 1 m height, clusters 3 m in diam. Flowers blue. Leaves silvery Woolford, H.A. 195 Maui BISH 1956-01-01
66 Vitex rotundifolia N end of Barking Sands, Waimea loose sand; inner forest on advancing inner dune Preserved_Specimen shrub 1.5 m tall, trailing St.John, H. 22967 Kauai BISH 1947-12-23
67 Vitex rotundifolia Barking Sands dunes Preserved_Specimen low, creeping shrub; flowers blue-lavender Fosberg, F.R. 12734 Kauai BISH 1935-12-30
68 Vitex rotundifolia Kaununui Coral sand dunes by beach Preserved_Specimen Ascending 5 dm. or trailing. Flowers blue St.John, H. 22718 Niihau BISH 1947-08-11
69 Vitex rotundifolia Polihale State Park seaward side of dunes, back of beach Preserved_Specimen Woody stems prostrate, large mats, flowering branches erect, corollas bluish purple Fosberg, F.R. 53663 Kauai BISH 1971-04-04
70 Vitex rotundifolia Kawailoa On beach Preserved_Specimen Moore, J.W. Oahu BISH 1929-07-14
71 Vitex rotundifolia Mana barking sands Preserved_Specimen Skottsberg, C.J.F. 1059 Kauai BISH 1922-02-11
72 Vitex rotundifolia Wailuku Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 9504 Maui BISH 1927-08-02
73 Vitex rotundifolia Koko Crater, Honolulu County Preserved_Specimen Procumbent vine, blue. Miller, J.S. 7882 Oahu BISH 1992-08-01
74 Vitex rotundifolia Kamala Point On sand dunes with Lipochaeta, Euphorbia, and Sida. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1978-06-14
75 Vitex rotundifolia Anahola Beach Just back of beach along road. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1977-07-21
76 Vitex rotundifolia Bishop Museum, Atherton Halau Preserved_Specimen Decumbent shrub in full sun. The foliage has a pleasant fragrance. The corolla is mauve except for a royal purple lip. Lau, J. 1069 Oahu BISH 1985-06-10
77 Vitex rotundifolia Waimanalo Beach Preserved_Specimen Violet, creeping blue flowered bush, very aromatic. Face of flowers 15 mm diam. from lower to upper lip; tube 8 mm; lower lip rich violet with 2 white short veritical stripes at throat, other petals violet Iltis, H.H. 301 Oahu BISH 1967-07-12
78 Vitex rotundifolia Windward side; mouth of Pelekunu valley, just behind black sand and rocky beach Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5767 Molokai BISH 1967-08-03
79 Vitex rotundifolia Barking Sands Preserved_Specimen decumbent, trailing shrub with erect, 2' long branches. Leaves silvery-green. Flowers blue-purple. Aromatic when crushed Herbst, D.R. 997 Kauai BISH 1968-03-29
80 Vitex rotundifolia Honolulu, Bishop Museum Campus, native Hawaiian garden. Preserved_Specimen Sprawling shrub, flowers purple. Kennedy, B. 20172 Oahu BISH 2017-11-09
81 Vitex rotundifolia Kalaupapa; airport, oceanview pavilion Preserved_Specimen low, branched shrub Wysong, M.L. 412 Molokai BISH 2004-11-11
82 Vitex rotundifolia Moku rocky roadside Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 9506 Molokai BISH 1928-06-02
83 Vitex rotundifolia Bishop Museum, Atherton Halau Preserved_Specimen Decumbent shrub in full sun. The foliage has a pleasant fragrance. The corolla is mauve except for a royal purple lip. Lau, J. 1069 Oahu BISH 1985-06-10
84 Vitex rotundifolia Honolulu, 1337 Ala Aolani, private property of J. Obata Preserved_Specimen Perennial to 0.5m Annable, C.R. 3151 Oahu BISH 1996-11-20
85 Vitex rotundifolia Top of beach, Makua Preserved_Specimen Flowers blue St.John, H. 9946 Oahu BISH 1929-10-20
86 Vitex rotundifolia Kaena Point Preserved_Specimen Decumbent, creeping shrub with erect branches. Flowers purple-blue. Common. Herbst, D.R. 767 Oahu BISH 1967-12-06
87 Vitex rotundifolia Near the landing Preserved_Specimen Handy, E.S. Niihau BISH 1931-08-14
88 Vitex rotundifolia Makaha, Waianae, Oahu Preserved_Specimen Prostrate on sand beach Grant, M.L. 7325 Oahu BISH 1934-09-01
89 Vitex rotundifolia unknown Preserved_Specimen Hillebrand, W.B. BISH
90 Vitex rotundifolia Kalrakoi [sp?], Laau Point Preserved_Specimen prostrate shrub; short erect side branches bear purplish flowers. Diam. of stem ~2 at base. Herbst, D.R. 5733 Molokai BISH 1976-03-09
91 Vitex rotundifolia Mokuleia Beach, Oahu Preserved_Specimen Pressing toward ocean & being repulsed by winter storm waves. Degener, O. 34381 Oahu BISH 1977-05-14
92 Vitex rotundifolia Waimanalo Bay, eastern shore of Oahu Low coral (?) sand dunes along shore. Preserved_Specimen Harris, J.A. 242140 Oahu BISH 1924-08-26
93 Vitex rotundifolia Preserved_Specimen Shrubby vine to 10 m. Fls (? See label) med blue. Frts dark blue-black Lane, I.E. 506 Hawaii BISH 1950-01-02
94 Vitex rotundifolia Preserved_Specimen Marzan, M. Niihau BISH 2025-03-08
95 Vitex rotundifolia Alaapapa, near Kailua Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Oahu BISH 1920-06-01
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