Illustration of V. agnus-castus by Penzig, O. in Bords des torrents ; dunes maritimes. — Fleurit en jiiil. et août (1902). [Public Domain]
Genus: Vitex
Common Names: the common name, chaste tree, traditionally refers to V. agnus-castus but is sometimes applied to other members of the genus.
A genus of about 250 species around 18 of which are in cultivation for various uses. "In Greece [the stems] have been used to make strong ties ... Odysseus is supposed to have used the supple branches of Vitex to bind his companions beneath the bellies of sheep in order to escape from the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus ... berries can be used as a spice instead of pepper. These berries, renowned for their anaphrodisiac properties, have been used since antiquity to suppress sexual urges. In the Middle Ages Vitex was planted near monasteries so that monks and nuns could regularly eat the berries to help them combat the torments of the flesh ... agnus comes from the Greek agnos 'pure,' while castus means 'chaste' in Latin (1)."
Distribution: tropics, subtropics, temperate Eurasia, and a single species in New Zealand
1. Filippi, O. (2008). The Dry Gardening Handbook: Plants and Practices for a Changing Climate. United Kingdom: Thames & Hudson.
Our Selection
Vitex agnus-castus [blue form]
Common name(s): chaste tree, chasteberry, monk's pepper
Description: a small, deciduous tree with aromatic, palmate leaves and copious amounts of fragrant blue-purple flower spikes in summer. Flowers are high in nectar and V. agnus-castus often ranks in lists and articles of "top 10 bee plants". Fruits have been used in traditional medicine and ground into a spice. Tolerates poor soil.
Height: to 15 ft. Spread: to 10 ft.
Position: full sun to partial shade
Uses: medicine, basket-making, to attract pollinators
Winter Hardiness: 0 F and below
Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought
Vitex agnus-castus [pink form]
Common name(s): chaste tree, chasteberry, monk's pepper
Description: a small, deciduous tree with aromatic, palmate leaves and copious amounts of fragrant pink flower spikes in summer. Flowers are high in nectar and V. agnus-castus often ranks in lists and articles of "top 10 bee plants". Fruits have been used in traditional medicine and ground into a spice. Tolerates poor soil.
Height: to 15 ft. Spread: to 10 ft.
Position: full sun to partial shade
Uses: medicine, basket-making, to attract pollinators
Winter Hardiness: 0 F and below
Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought