Vitex L. (Lamiaceae, Viticoideae)

Vitex is mainly tropical and has c. 250 species of trees and shrubs. The most recent taxonomic revision of the genus in Africa was by Pieper (1928). This publication deals with c. 110 species, some not studied directly by the author and it includes many names that are synonyms. Excluding Moldenke’s nomenclaturally confusing publications in Phytologia published in 1955-58, there are only four modern but partial publications on the genus (Verdcourt, 1992; Bredenkamp & Botha, 1996; Sales, 2001 and 2005).

The taxonomic revision of the genus will lead to the explanation of the filogenetic relations between the species. One solid taxonomy will establish an indicator of the existence of chemical compounds in different species, that compounds have proved possess an considerable pharmacological potential in V. agnus-castus (Kenner & Requena, 1996). Among the several chemical constituents, the terpenoids, that are the principal constituents of the essential oils, among the secondary metabolites, they are considered the most dutiful of the basic requisites of chemotaxonomy, i. e., they exhibit chemical complexity and structural variety, physiological stability, large distribution and rapid identification (Tétényi, 1986). In addition to his interest like potential medicinal plant, Vitex is an element locally relevant of the tropical and subtropical ecosystems. The capacity of regeneration of some species (complex V. madiensis), after fire in sub-tropical regions to obtain grazes, will be tested in the bioremediation of anthropogenic regions in Africa.