192 THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



Flowers in panicles. Primary peduncle square. Calyx in- 

 ferior, bell-shaped, very large when ripe, 5-cleft. Corolla 

 white, longer than calyx, covered with a mealy substance, bell- 

 shaped, 5-lobed. Stamens 5 or 6, inserted in the corolla. 

 Filaments flattened, somewhat longer than the corolla. Anthers 

 semi-globose, a yellow zone below and a black circle above. 

 Ovary free, rounded, 4 locules each with 1 seed. Style 

 same length as stamens. Stigma bilobulate. Drupe globose, 

 woolly, spongy, depressed, covered by the membranous inflated 

 calyx ; contains one nut, very hard, 4 apartments each contain- 

 ing one seed. 



Habitat. — The mountains of Morong and Tanay (of La 

 Laguna Province) bear some specimens. Very common in the 

 island of Negros and in Mindanao. It also grows in the 

 Visayas, Mindora and Paragua. Blooms in September. 



Vitex trifolia, L. ( V. repens, Blanco.) 



NoM. VuLG. — Lagundi, Tag. ; Gapasgapas, Vis. ; Dangla, 



Hoc. 



Vitex Negundo, L. (F. Lmooxylon, Blanco.) 



NoM. VuLG. — Lagundi, Malawin, Tag. 



Uses. — Both species are used medicinally in the Philippines 

 and both enjoy high repute. A variety of the first that seems 

 to possess the same virtues is the V. repens, Blanco, called 

 lagundig gapag by the Tagalos. 



V. trifolia is regarded in India as the most powerful species 

 and Bontius has extolled it highly, calling attention to the ano- 

 dyne, diuretic and emmenagogue properties of the leaves. 

 These are very effective applied in fomentation to rheumatic 

 joints and their use is extensive both in India and the Malay 

 Archipelago. A decoction of the leaves is used locally and as 

 a vapor-bath in the treatment of beriberi. A large earthen 

 pot is filled with leaves and water and brought to a boil ; the 

 pot is then placed under a chair in which the patient sits en- 



