Chaste tree
Common name
vitex, chaste tree, chasteberry, Abraham's balm, lilac chastetree, or monk's pepper
Botanical name
Vitex agnus-castus
Family
Verbenaceae
Details
It is a native of the Mediterranean region, one of the few temperate-zone species of Vitex, which is generally a genus of tropical and sub-tropical flowering plants. Widely cultivated in warm temperate and subtropical regions for its delicate-textured aromatic foliage and butterfly-attracting mid-summer spikes of lavender flowers opening in late summer in cooler climates.
It requires full sun though tolerating partial shade, along with well-drained soil. Under ideal conditions it is hardy to -23 °C
Propagate by seed or cuttings
Once used to flavour stews in monasteries, (not recommended for honeymooners). It has been long believed to be an anaphrodisiac – leading to its name as chaste tree – but its effectiveness for such action remains unproven.
It requires full sun though tolerating partial shade, along with well-drained soil. Under ideal conditions it is hardy to -23 °C
Propagate by seed or cuttings
Once used to flavour stews in monasteries, (not recommended for honeymooners). It has been long believed to be an anaphrodisiac – leading to its name as chaste tree – but its effectiveness for such action remains unproven.
Date
July 24, 2013
Diameter
1.00
Forest layer
shrub
Height (m)
3.0
Perennial
Related
Chaste Tree seeds
Common name
vitex, chaste tree, chasteberry, Abraham's balm, lilac chastetree, monk's pepper
Botanical name
Vitex angus castus
Drought tolerance
Price
$4.90
20 seeds