Tugas, or Vitex parviflora may be a very confusing plant for new bonsai keeper in the Philippines. Called Molave by Tagalog speakers and the word derives from the Mulawin which is basically the Tagalog word for tree. I see the word Molave on facebook bonsai hunter groups or clubs in the Luzon area.
Called Tugas in the Vaisaya and Mindanao. Maybe this wont be a surprise to anyone, but 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. Of course this is in the Visayas, and commonly labeled for bonsai here.
There is some information on the web that does recgnize Tugab Bato as a tree in the Mindanao region often growing in rock y terrain or liemstone formations. It is also said this causes smaller leaves
I need to read more about it as I understand there may be restrictions from taking this in certain places in the wild. I just dont have enough information about that topic yet. Lastly, in 2019 it was listed of least concern by the IUCN.
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:
- 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, rough/gnarled
- Growth: Moderate
- Ecology & Environment
- Sun Exposure: Full sun 6-8 hours daily. Afternoon sun tolerant
- Water Use: Moderate water.
- Soil Tolerance: Limestone (anapog), Pumice, Lava Rock
- 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, send us a message and we will attempt to get the right picture perspective.
Continuing the observations
I have a number of plants that came to me with labels such as Tugas, Tugas Bato, or Molave. I really did think a couple were a different species of some type. Now I am wondering about pruning and light conditions effecting the plants in different ways.
Soon I will get these tree moved to a similar space and then I can better see if there are variances to the plants, I will also be able to remove the light issue or conditions as to why the leaves are so varied.
One of my next projects I think will be to construct a Penjing style with some rocks I have and varied sizes of my tugas. Maybe pictures some day soon.