About the Chaste Tree
Vitex agnus-castus, or chaste tree, is a moderate- to fast-growing deciduous shrub or tree that produces showy blossoms. Native to Europe, chaste trees grow widely across the southern United States. Growers in the south cultivate them because they resemble lilacs, a plant that cannot tolerate excessive heat, according to Dr. William C. Welch at the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Chaste trees work well as accents, shade trees or background shrubs. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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Chaste trees grow around 15 to 20 feet tall with a 10- to 15-foot spread. Their growth rate depends largely upon the availability of water; plants that are watered regularly grow faster and taller and produce more attractive blossoms. Chaste trees have grayish-green, palmately compound leaves, which are leaves shaped like the palm of a hand, composed of five to seven individual leaflets. The plants have irregular or rounded forms with open, spreading branches. Chaste trees produce pale purple or white blossoms on upright clusters called racemes. Brown seed capsules replace the flowers.
Cultivation
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Chaste trees grow best in full sunlight and can tolerate a variety of well-drained soil types. Arizona State University indicates that chaste trees need hot weather to produce outstanding blossoms. These shrubs are drought-tolerant and do not require special care aside from deadheading blossoms to encourage continued flowering. Several different Vitex agnus-castus cultivars include Latifolia, a variety with large foliage, Salinas pink and Rosea, which produce pink blossoms, and Alba, which yields showy white flowers.
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Pests and Problems
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Chaste trees are susceptible to diseases such as root and crown rot. The Phytophthora fungus attacks the roots and crowns, causing wilting, leaf drop and eventual plant death. Scales, which are small immobile insects without noticeable moving parts, attach their mouthparts to chaste tree foliage and feed on the sap. Aphids are small pear-shaped insects that vary in color, while white flies are tiny white flying insects. Both species, which also feed on chaste tree sap, leave large quantities of a sticky, sweet liquid called honeydew on the foliage. Black sooty mold grows on the honeydew.
Medicinal Use
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People have used chaste tree for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. The fourth century Greek physician Hippocrates suggested giving women chaste tree leaves in wine after they gave birth to help staunch bleeding. The Greek and English both used parts of the chaste tree to lower the libido. According to the Georgetown University Medical Center, chaste tree fruit is used in Germany to encourage lactation in nursing mothers and to help lessen the effects of pre-menstrual syndrome; the herb may also ease breast pain and regulate menstrual cycles. It may also help correct certain issues that lead to infertility such as excessive prolactin. Some women develop a rash from using chaste tree, so consult your physician before using this product.
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References
- Texas AgriLife Extension: Vitex, or Chaste Tree; Dr. William C. Welch; June 2008
- Arizona State University: Vitex agnus-castus
- North Carolina State University: Vitex agnus-castus
- Virginia Cooperative Extension: Chastetree; Alex X. Niemiera; November 2010
- University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Chaste Tree - Vitex agnus-castus
- Virginia Cooperative Extension: Whiteflies; Kenneth W. Cote and Eric R. Day; May 2009
