Chinese chastetree (Vitex negundo, Sp. Pl.: 638 (1753))

Family: Lamiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 638 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Vitex

Vegetable: False

Observations: S. Somalia to Mozambique, W. Indian Ocean, Iran to Japan and Marianas

Description

Chinese chastetree, known scientifically as Vitex negundo, is a plant rooted in various regions spanning from Southern Somalia to Mozambique, extending westward across the Indian Ocean, as well as from Iran to Japan and the Marianas. Authored by Linnaeus in his seminal work, Species Plantarum (1753), this plant is a notable member of the Lamiaceae family, which is distinguished for its aromatic properties and noteworthy contributions to both traditional and modern medicinal practices.

Growing predominantly in tropical and subtropical climates, Chinese chastetree is a robust and versatile species. It typically manifests as a shrub or small tree, characterized by its palmate leaves, which usually consist of five leaflets. The plant’s flowers, often seen in shades of blue or lavender, are arranged in panicles, contributing not only to its ornamental value but also to its traditional medicinal uses.

Historically, Vitex negundo has been revered in various cultures for its therapeutic properties. It has been employed in folk medicine to treat an array of conditions including inflammation, stress, and respiratory ailments. The essential oils derived from its leaves and seeds possess potential antimicrobial and analgesic properties, which have been the subject of recent pharmacological studies.

Ecologically, Chinese chastetree plays a vital role in its native habitats. Its flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, thus supporting local biodiversity. Moreover, as a plant adaptable to different soil types and climatic conditions, it is often used in reforestation and soil stabilization projects.

In conclusion, Vitex negundo, or Chinese chastetree, is a plant of considerable botanical and medicinal significance, revered for its versatile applications and ecological contributions. Its widespread presence across diverse regions underscores its adaptability and enduring relevance in both natural and cultivated landscapes.

Common Names

Eng: chinese chastetree, five-leaf chastetree, five leaved chaste, chinese chaste tree
Swe: kinesiskt kyskhetsträd
En: Chinese chastetree, Five-leaf chastetree, Chinese fingerleaf, Negundo chastetree, Chinese Chaste-tree, Five Leaved Chaste, Chinese Chaste Tree, Vitex, Common Chaste Tree, Five leaved chaste tree, Negundo, Negundo Chaste-tree, Chaste tree, Huang ping
Hy: Կուսածառ չինական
As: পচতীয়া
Bn: নিশিন্দা
My: ကြောင်ပန်းကြီး
Zh: 埔姜仔, 埔荊茶, 黃荊, 黄荆
Cs: Drmek čínský
Et: Viietine mungapipar
Fr: Troène de Chine, Muguet bleu
Hi: वीटेक्स नेगुंडो
Hu: Kínai barátcserje
Id: Legundi
Kn: ಲಕ್ಕಿ ಗಿಡ
Ko: 좀목형
Ms: Pokok Lagundi
Ml: കരിനൊച്ചി
Mr: निर्गुडी
Ne: सिमाली
Fa: پنج انگشت چینی
Sa: निर्गुण्डिसस्यम्
Sv: Kinesiskt kyskhetsträd
Tl: Lagundi
Zh-tw: 黃荊
Ta: வெண்ணொச்சி
Te: నీరువావిలి
Th: คนทีเขมา
To: Lala

Synonyms

• Agnus-castus negundo ((L.) Carrière)
• Vitex agnus-castus var. negundo ((L.) Kuntze)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Andaman Is. (native)
• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Hainan (native)
• India (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Japan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Laccadive Is. (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Maldives (native)
• Marianas (native)
• Mauritius (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Nicobar Is. (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Somalia (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Sumatera (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Apr 19, 2022 by William Jordan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2019 by kurapati sathwika (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2022 by Anatas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2021 by Tahir Mahmood (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2022 by hanan fattah (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Nov 10, 2020 by anilkumar ayyappan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2021 by Nagulapalli T.V.Gurumurthy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 22, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2022 by Ravi Sharma (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2019 by Eww_Pea (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 17, 2021 by Manuel Hernández (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2022 by Kudala kiranmayee Kiran (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Nov 8, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 3, 2020 by Raul (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 10, 2017 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 10, 2017 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 10, 2017 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 13, 2019 by Eww_Pea (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 18, 2013 by EOL − P. Santhan (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:865894-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2925564)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Vitex negundo L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Tree, Shrub

Growth