Vitex megapotamica
Species of tree
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vitex megapotamica is a hardwood fruit tree found in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and southern Brazil.[2][1][3][4][5] In Brazil it is commonly called tarumã.
| Vitex megapotamica | |
|---|---|
| |
| Close-up of stems, leaves, and ripened fruit | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Vitex |
| Species: | V. megapotamica |
| Binomial name | |
| Vitex megapotamica Cham. | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
The tarumã grows to be up to ten metres tall.[5] Its bark is coloured dark grey; its compound leaves have a long petiole and five elliptic leaflets.[5] The small, abundant flowers developed into fleshy stone fruit. The fruits are eaten by a number of species, and serve also as fishing bait.[5]
Tarumã grows from the Southeast Region of Brazil to the South Region, and on through Uruguay and Paraguay to Argentina.[5]
In Brazil, its common names include azeitona do mato (forest olive), azeitona brava, cinco folhas (five leaves), copiúba, sombra de touro (bull's shadow), and tarumã romã (tarumã pomegranate).[5]
