Vitex pinnata aka Man

Vitex pinnata, also called keleban, belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae. This evergreen tree comes from tropical Asia. Its range includes India, Bangladesh, mainland Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. It grows in lowland forests with a dry season. Open woods, river banks and regrowing forests suit it. It also colonises grassland after fires.

Trees reach about 66 feet [20 metres] tall and wide. Some reach 82 feet [25 metres] in height. The crown often spreads, and the trunk can grow crooked. Trunks may reach about 2.3 feet [0.7 metres] across. Sources differ on growth rate, calling it slow or moderate. Young planted trees can gain around 3.3 feet [1 metre] yearly. That height gain may continue through their first 15 years. Insects pollinate the flowers. Planted trees in Java first flowered after 11–12 years.

Give this tree full sun and soil that drains well. It grows in sand, loam or clay. It accepts mildly acid, neutral and mildly alkaline soil. Dry or moist ground can suit it. Its native sites receive 590–1,500 millimetres of rain each year. Mean annual temperatures there range from 20–32°C. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 10–12. Planting at the start of the rainy season is recommended.

Seed offers a way to raise new trees. A brief hot-water soak can improve germination. Seeds may sprout 10–40 days after sowing. Dense forest shade prevents germination, though seeds can remain viable. Some seeds under light shade wait for full sun before sprouting. The tree helps restore land dominated by Imperata grass. It also serves as a shade tree and roadside tree. Its wood ranges from yellow-brown to dark brown. The hard, heavy timber resists decay and has a fine grain. Local uses include buildings, boats, tool handles and household goods. The wood also makes charcoal.

Traditional remedies use bark preparations for stomach pain. Leaf poultices serve as treatments for fever and wounds. These reported uses do not establish medical safety or benefit. Plants For A Future records no known food uses. The sources report no known hazards, rather than proving safety. Useful Tropical Plants reports a 2018 Least Concern assessment. It cites a broad range, large population and no major threats.