Vitex agnus-castus L.
Frost hardy, spreading deciduous shrub with 5- or 7-palmate leaves, composed of aromatic, narrowly-elliptic leaflets, to 10cm long, and slender, terminal panicles, to 18cm long, of small, tubular, fragrant, lilac, blue or white flowers in autumn. To 8m. [RHSE, Hilliers’].
Horticultural & Botanical History
Cultivated in Britain since 1570. [JD]. ‘Agnus Castus, ot the Chaste Tree. Vitex, or Agnus castus. This tree grows about the bigness of a small Cherry Tree; the leaves are a dark green above, and whitish underneath; the flowers are a whitish purple, and ye seed a blackish grey. It is a native of Italy, & is planted here in gardens, flowering the latter end of summer. The leaves, flowers & seed are esteemed warming and drying; helps the hardness of the liver and spleen, expels wind & brings down ye Catamenia. Formerly ye seed was much used to allay venereal heats & preserve chastity, but this age has left that medicine out of their Dispensatory as useless.’ [Blackwell pl.139/1837].
History at Camden Park
Listed in the 1845, 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.1003/1845].
Notes
Published Feb 16, 2010 - 09:14 PM | Last updated Aug 01, 2010 - 03:20 PM
Vitex agnus-castus L. | Blackwell pl.139/1737 | BHL
| Family | Verbenaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Mediterranean to Central Asia |
| Synonyms | |
| Common Name | Chaste tree, Tree of chastity |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Vitex agnuscastus - Chaste tree |
| Confidence level | high |