

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.
Fragrant, pink, lavender, or white flowers in large panicles up to 12 inches (30 cm) long.
Grayish-green compound leaves with lance-shaped leaflets emitting a menthol-like aroma when crushed.
Small, purple drupes about 3-4 mm in diameter with a pungent flavor and four-celled structure.
Distinctive gray bark with shallow, vertical furrows for a rugged appearance.
Deciduous shrub or tree with an open, rounded growth habit and paler undersides on leaves.
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.
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.
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.
Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.
The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.
Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.
The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.
The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.
The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.
Scientific Classification of Chaste tree