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Chaste tree

How to identify Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus)

Chaste tree, also known as Lilac chastetree, Monk's pepper, Chasteberry

Chaste tree exhibits an erect, open, rounded growth habit as a deciduous shrub or tree. Its foliage consists of grayish-green leaves with paler undersides that are notably aromatic when bruised. The leaves are arranged in leaflets enhancing the plant's textured appearance. During its blooming phase, chaste tree produces fragrant flowers in shades of pink, lavender, or white that assemble in showy panicles up to 12 inches (30 cm) long. In the fall, it bears small, purple, spherical drupes.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Chaste tree

1

Fragrant, pink, lavender, or white flowers in large panicles up to 12 inches (30 cm) long.

2

Grayish-green compound leaves with lance-shaped leaflets emitting a menthol-like aroma when crushed.

3

Small, purple drupes about 3-4 mm in diameter with a pungent flavor and four-celled structure.

4

Distinctive gray bark with shallow, vertical furrows for a rugged appearance.

5

Deciduous shrub or tree with an open, rounded growth habit and paler undersides on leaves.

Chaste treeChaste treeChaste treeChaste treeChaste tree

Detailed Traits of Chaste tree

Leaf Features

The leaves of chaste tree are compound with 5 to 9 lance-shaped leaflets, each measuring 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long and 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) wide. They are arranged oppositely on the stem and release a menthol-like fragrance when crushed. The upper surface of the leaves is a grayish-green, while the undersides are gray. These distinct hues, along with the lanceolate shape and aromatic quality, are key identifying features.

Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

Leaf Margin

Entire

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Flower Features

The flowers of chaste tree bloom all summer and are clustered in fragrant groups of pink, purple, or white. Each individual flower is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across and has five petals, forming in loose, elongated panicles that can reach up to 12 inches (30 cm) long. These blossoms are key identifiers due to their vibrant colors and sweet scent, making chaste tree visually distinctive during its blooming period.

Chaste tree Flower image
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Fruit Features

The fruit of chaste tree is a small, rounded drupe approximately 3-4 mm in diameter, which is about the size of a small pea (roughly 0.12-0.16 inches). Each drupe is characterized by its four-celled structure, each cell enclosing a single seed. Upon maturity, the surface of the fruit becomes a deep purple hue, giving it a distinctive appearance. The outer texture is typically firm, and when tasted, it reveals a notably pungent flavor which is quite pronounced to the senses.

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Key Facts About Chaste tree

Attributes of Chaste tree
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Shrub
Plant Height
1 m to 5 m
Spread
1.5 m to 4.5 m
Leaf Color
Green
Gray
Blue
Flower Size
2.5 cm
Flower Color
Blue
Purple
White
Pink
Violet
Lavender
Fruit Color
Brown
Copper
Black
Stem Color
Green
Leaf type
Deciduous
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Scientific Classification of Chaste tree

Family
Mint
Icon allow
Species
Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus)
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Distribution Map of Chaste tree

The native range of chaste tree stretches from the Mediterranean through Pakistan, where it grows in damp regions near brackish water. It is an introduced species in the southern half of the United States, Central America, and a few South American countries. It is considered invasive in the US, particularly in the Carolinas.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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