THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 399 
At first fairly fast-growing, later on it is rather slow. It 
is very fire-resisting, but does not thoroughly protect the soil. 
It has not been felled for export, nor has it been sawn up for 
local use. It serves a useful purpose amongst the dry-zone 
vegetation, and is one of the larger trees of that zone. 
Vitex Fosteri. Ori-eta (Yoruba); Obuban, Ibang (Benin); Ogi 
(Calabar). 
Chief Characteristics.—It is a medium-sized tree with thin, 
white bark and voluted stem, which is not overstraight beyond 
15 or 20 feet, soft and fibrous; one of the common trees 
in the mixed forest, though also found in the evergreen forest. 
It has a thin, digitate leaf. It usually stands as one of the 
dominated trees in either forest. The leaves. often look 
silvery, but this is an optical illusion, owing to their being so 
thin and white on the underside. 
Distribution.—It is found in the Abeokuta, Ibadan, Jebu, 
Ode, Benin and Calabar provinces of Nigeria. 
Timber.—It is a hard, white wood of even texture and smooth 
grain, which is apparently durable for interior work. It is 
somewhat like hornbeam, though not quite so hard. It works 
up with a smooth surface. 
Silvicultural Qualities.—It is a shade-bearer, though, if planted 
pure, it is doubtful whether its foliage would thoroughly protect 
the ground, owing to its being so thin. Natural regeneration 
by seed is apparently good. 
Use.—It would probably make good verandah-posts, door- 
frames and window-frames, but so far has not been tried. As 
there is plenty of it, proper supplies could be obtained in the 
provinces named. 
Value.—At present doubtful, as it is an untried wood ; 
however, belonging to the same family as teak, it should find 
a place amongst the valuable small timbers for local use. 
Vitex diversifolia. 
It has been noted from the Oban Reserve. 
Clerodendron Thonningiit. Egwa, Oriakuku (Benin). 
It is an ornamental shrub of the Benin province of Nigeria, 
found near the Osse River. 
Clerodendron Thompsonii. Egwa oviakuku (Benin). 
A medium-sized shrub with woody stem found in the Benin 
province. 
Clerodendron scandens (Beauv.). 
It is a large shrub with hard wood of the Benin province 
of Nigeria. 
Clerodendron volubulu. Ebenote (Benin). 
Found in the Benin province. 
