Chinese Chastetree

(Vitex negundo)

Chinese Chastetree (Vitex negundo)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Vitex negundo, commonly known as Chinese Chastetree, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to open woodlands and riverbanks in Southeast Asia and the Himalayas, extending to East Africa. It typically grows from 2 to 8 meters (6.6 to 26.2 feet) in height and features reddish-brown bark. The plant has a distinctive aromatic quality, with quadrangular, densely whitish, tomentose branchlets. The leaves are palmately compound, usually with five leaflets. The numerous flowers, borne in showy panicles 10 to 20 cm (3.9 to 7.9 inches) in length, are white to blue and appear from late spring to early fall. The petals vary in length, with the middle lower lobe being the longest, and both the corolla and calyx are densely hairy. The fruit is a succulent drupe, 4 mm (0.16 inch) in diameter, turning black or purple when ripe.

Chinese Chastetree is valued for its aromatic foliage and attractive flowers, which can add a touch of color to gardens. It is often used in urban planting, as a border shrub, or for creating informal hedges. This species is relatively easy to maintain, requiring full sun and medium amounts of water, and it tolerates a range of soil types, preferring those with slow to medium drainage. However, gardeners should be cautious as Vitex negundo can be invasive outside its native range. It is also used in traditional medicine, and its wood is sometimes harvested for timber or fuel.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Tree, Shrub
  • Height: 3-10 feet
  • Width: 3-8 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Blue, Pink, Purple, White
  • Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Slow, Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Fragrant, Hedges, Hummingbird Garden, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Native to open woodlands and riverbanks in Southeast Asia and the Himalayas, extending to East Africa

Other Names

Common Names: Five-Leaved Chaste Tree, Horseshoe Vitex, Nisinda, Five-Leaf Chastetree, Kinesiskt Kyskhetsträd, 黃荊;埔荊茶;埔姜仔, 좀묵형, 목형, Huang Ping

Scientific Names: , Vitex negundo, Vitex negundo f. intermedia, Vitex negundo f. alba, Vitex negundo f. laxipaniculata, Agnus-castus negundo, Verbena cannabifolia, Vitex agnus-castus var. negundo, Vitex nogondo, Vitex trifolia var. foliolis,

GBIF Accepted Name: Vitex negundo L.