Maybe this wont be a surprise to anyone, Tugas is the only name I have ever heard this plant called. I bought other plants labeled as Tugas Bato. I think I have three of those. Bato seems to be for marketing purposes as it claims the leaves are smaller and the wood more dense. Not another species it seems, just a wonderful better plant for bonsai.
Receiving
As a material shipped in I found it slow to adapt to my potting and the generation of leaves did not occur for 4 or more weeks. One Tugas took almost three months to generate substanial leaves. After receiving materials I keep them in what I call triage, and our triage space is an area of indirect light but still a bright space. Of the first 5 Tugas I brought in, 3 showed signs of growth within 6 weeks. 1 more started growing at 8 weeks.
Still, the last plant that I received is also pictured in the gallery below (brick patio) having many branches. After 8 weeks I moved it into the garden where it did get direct sun. I was worried as it only had a few small leaves that were there when it arrived. another month passed and still no growth. After almost 4 months I got tired and placed it into full sun. Within a week the foliage had tripled, definitely growing, and the plant looked great.
Vitex parviflora
- Core Identification & Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Vitex Parviflora.
- Common Name: Molave, Tugas, Sagat, Amugauan, Smallflower Chastetree, Tugas Bato
- Family: Lamiaceae (mint)
- Varietals: Bato
- Habitat/Range: Tropical lowlands, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia
- Morphology & Characteristics
- Growth Habit: Tree; irregular or crooked growth, deadwood patterns
- Leaves: opposite, compound, tri-foliate
- Flowers: during rainy season
- Fruit/Seed: yes, about 5mm bluish/black
- Stem/Bark: Pale grey to pale yellow, smooth
- Growth: Slow
- Ecology & Environment
- Sun Exposure: Full sun 4-8 hours daily. Afternoon sun tolerant
- Water Use: Moderate, occasional salt spray
- Soil Tolerance: Limestone (anapog), Akadama, Pumice, Lava Rock
- Habitat/Range: Tropical lowlands, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia
- Bonsai Notes
- Pruning: is essential, cut back to 2 leaf sets
- Delofiation: can reduce leaf size
- Wiring: applied at any time of year. Monitor closely as branches can be brittle and scarring will occur if left too long
Gallery images
First, we are uploading pictures of our plants to show the parts of a plant that may help in identification. Second, we only have so many plants and my photography skills are not actually skillful. Finally, if it would help to see another angle or view, view us a message and we will attempt to get the right picture perspective.
