EPPO Global Database

EPPO Reporting Service no. 02 - 2021 Num. article: 2021/046

First report of Vitex trifolia in Tunisia


Vitex trifolia (Lamiaceae) is a large coastal shrub or small tree less than 5 m in height. The species has a number of medicinal uses (e.g. treatment of fevers) and it is used as an ornamental species.  V. trifolia has a wide native range including Australia, east Africa and Asia. The population in Tunisia has been known since 2015 in the Mahdia region (East Central Tunisia) and consists of more than 30 individuals occupying approximately 3 hectares.  Here the population grows in a loam-sandy coastal field.  It is reported as invasive in Cuba and naturalized in Hawaii.


Sources

Khaifa KH, Mokni R (2020) Vitex trifolia (Lamiaceae) a naturalised alien new to the non-native flora of Tunisia and North Africa. Flora Mediterranea 30, 327-332.