Vitex trifolia (simpleleaf chastetree)

Simpleleaf chastetree is very common from East Africa to Tahiti in the Pacific, where it is grown as an ornamental and for medicinal use.

Vitex trifolia flower
Flowers of Vitex trifolia growing on Mansinan Island, Indonesian New Guinea (Image: Rogier de Kok, RBG Kew)

Species information

  • Common name(s): simpleleaf chastetree
  • Conservation status: Not threatened
  • Habitat: Grows on sand, coral, pumice gravel or shale. Simpleleaf chastetree is occasionally found in clay over limestone but this is rare. It also grows on beaches and along the inland edge of mangrove swamps, in grasslands and in forest and secondary vegetations. It is often found near watercourses.
  • Known hazards: Not recorded

Taxonomy

  • Class: Equisetopsida
  • Subclass: Magnoliidae
  • Superorder: Asteranae
  • Order: Lamiales
  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • Genus: Vitex

About this Species

This species is very common from East Africa to Tahiti in the Pacific. It is grown as an ornamental and for medicinal use.

Geography & Distribution

Vitex trifolia habitat

Habitat of Vitex trifolia; Mansinan Island, Indonesian New Guinea (Image: Rogier de Kok, RBG Kew)

Vitex trifolia is widespread from North Australia east to Tahiti and north via Indonesia and the Philippines to China, India and Sri Lanka. Also reported from East Africa and introduced on many Pacific islands in the Central Pacific and Hawaii.

Description

Vitex trifolia fruits

Fruits of Vitex trifolia (Image: Rogier de Kok)

Vitex trifolia is a small tree or shrub up to 8 m tall. It has a smooth light grey to brown bark. The leaves consist of 3 or 5 smaller leaflets which are all connected at one point (like the fingers of a hand) and are elliptic and between 3 and 12 cm long. The underside is covered with white hairs. The purple to blue flowers consist of a tube with five lobes; the central lobe is bigger than the others. The four stamens greatly exceed the corolla tube. The fleshy globose fruits are black when mature and up to 7 mm in diameter.

Uses

Vitex trifolia flowers

Flowers of Vitex trifolia (Image: Rogier de Kok, RBG Kew)

Simpleleaf chastetree is grown as an ornamental.

Anecdotal reports suggest it is used for women’s health care throughout its range.

Cultivation

Vitex trifolia grow well on exposed coastal sand dunes. It likes moist, fertile, well-drained soils. Water well in the summer and avoid the extremes of soil moisture, neither drought nor water logging.

If propagating seeds, sow freshly collected seed in a mix of sand and coir. If propagating by cuttings, take them when the plants are not in flower or fruit (apical cuttings with at least two nodes). Cuttings should be rooted in a well-drained rooting medium such as perlite and coir under mist.
 

Useful Links

Search Kew's databases for more information on this species

References & Credits

de Kok, R.P.J. (2007). The genus Vitex L. in New Guinea and the South Pacific Islands. Kew Bull. 62: 587-603.

Mabberley, D.J. & de Kok, R.P.J. (2004). Labiatae. In: P. Morat & H.S. Mackee, Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et Dépendances, vol. 25: 20-141.

Sunarno, B. (1995). Vitex L. In: Lemmens, R.H.M.J., Soerianegara, I., Wong, W. C. (eds). Plant Resources of South-East Asia. Timber trees: Minor Commercial Timbers. Backhuys, Leiden.

Wagner, W.L., Herbst, D.R. & Sohmer, S.H. (1999). Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai’i 2nd Edn, vol 2. Bishop Museum, Honolulu.

Kew Science Editor: Rogier de Kok
Kew contributors: Sustainable Uses Group
Copy editing: Kew Publishing

While every effort has been taken to ensure that the information contained in these pages is reliable and complete, the notes on hazards, edibility and suchlike included here are recorded information and do not constitute recommendations. No responsibility will be taken for readers’ own actions. Full website terms and conditions.

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