Vitex keniensis

Vitex keniensis
Conservation status
Vulnerable (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Verbenaceae
Genus:	Vitex
Species:	V. keniensis
Binomial name
Vitex keniensis Turrill

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 is has been severely over-exploited and is now very rare. It 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.

Source

• World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. Vitex keniensis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 24 August 2007.