Trees Bees Use

Vitex orinocensis

Rafael Thimann, Mesa de Cavaca, Guanare, Portuguesa Street, Venezuela

Keywords: bee forage, Central America, honey production, Venezuela

Scientific name

Vitex orinocensis var multiflora

Family Verbenaceae

Name Aceituno in Venezuela; Totumito in Central America

Apicultural value

Vitex orinocensis is foraged by bees for nectar that produces amber honey with an excellent flavour. Recommended for honey production.

Flowering period

Vitex orinocensis can be considered a double-purpose tree for beekeepers because it blooms in the rainy season (May to August) when few other plants are flowering. It grows in the savannah areas and in the wet highlands, and depending on rainfall may have two flowering periods.

Honey

A light amber scented honey is harvested in April or May. The honey may be a little high in water content.

Leaves

Compound and opposite: one, two or three un-equal follicles; the middle one bigger than the others. Leaves are 3-12 cm long and 1-4 cm wide.

Flowers

Vitex orinocensis produces many blue or purple flowers grouped in axial climax inflorescences. The blooming period lasts up to two weeks.

Flowers of Vitex orinocensis

Botanical description

An erect trunk with a rounded canopy, growth up to 12 m. The fruit is a drupe with a brilliant-greenish colour at first becoming blackish when ripe. Vitex orinocensis is named Aceituno (Spanish for olive) because the fruits look like olives. The wood is used for fire and also for hedges and fences.