Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus)

Location and Notable Facts

  • Other names
    •  Vitex 
    • Lilac Chaste tree
  • Scientific Family
    •  Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)
  • Discovery
    •  N/A
  • Size (Width/Height/Growth/DBH)
    • Blooms on new growth like Crape/Crepe Myrtle and has similar bloom time
  • Colors
    •  Fragrant blue-purple flowers at end of limbs
  • Bloom/Seed/Fruit
    • Fragrant purple flower

Chaste Tree bloomPhoto credit to Florida State University

  • Leaf Arrangement 
    •  Opposite; 2 to 4 inches long, palmately compound leaves with 5 to 9 leaflets gray-green in color
  • Bark Arrangement 
    • Gray bark 

viagnus9Photo credit to Oregon State University

  • Invasive/Non-invasive
    •  Non-Invasive
  • Native/Non-native
    •  Non-native; native to the Mediterranean Region
  • Pests/Disease
    • Has no insect or disease problem
  • Comparisons to similar trees
    •  Can be used in place of Crape Myrtle with similar bloom time and no pest issues
  • Usefulness
    • Attracts butterflies, humming birds and bees
  • Local Location / History:  
    • Located behind the Hamp Williams building,  510 Ouachita Avenue

chaste tree