Vitex glabrata, commonly known as smooth chastetree, bush currant, black plum, black fruit, and black grape, is a species medium-sized deciduous tree in the family Lamiaceae.[1][2][3][4] It is native to Australia (Northern Territory, Western Australia, and Queensland), Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, India (including both the mainland and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands), Indonesia (most regions of Indonesia except Sumatra), Laos, Malaysia, Marianas, Myanmar, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea (including Bismarck Archipelago), Philippines, Solomon Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.[5]

Vitex glabrata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Vitex
Species:
V. glabrata
Binomial name
Vitex glabrata
R.Br.

Characteristics

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The fruit is black in color and edible when ripe with a sweet taste, and is eaten raw, cooked, or dry.[6] It has shown significant anti-inflammatory properties in rats in studies.[7]

Some sources claim that the bark and roots are used as a traditional medicine.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "foodplantsinternational". Food Plants International. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Vitex glabrata - Useful Tropical Plants". tropical.theferns.info. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  3. ^ "Smooth Chastetree – Vitex glabrata". Gardening Know How. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  4. ^ "Vitex glabrata (Bush Currant)". Society for Kimberley Indigenous Plants and Animals. 2012-01-13. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  5. ^ "Vitex glabrata R.Br". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  6. ^ "Vitex glabrata (Black Plum)". Territory Native Plants. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  7. ^ Rani, Anita; Sharma, Anupam (2013). "The genus Vitex: A review". Pharmacognosy Reviews. 7 (14): 188–198. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.120522. ISSN 0973-7847. PMC 3841997. PMID 24347927.