Vitex is a genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae. It has about 250
species. Common names include "chastetree", traditionally referring to
V. agnus-castus but often applied to other species as well.
Species of Vitex are native throughout the tropics and subtropics, with a few
species in temperate Eurasia. About 18 species are known in
cultivation. Vitex agnus-castus and Vitex negundo are often grown in
temperate climates. About six others are frequently grown in the tropics. Most of
the cultivated species serve as ornamentals. Some provide valuable
lumber. The flexible limbs of some species are used in basket weaving. Some
of the aromatic species are used medicinally or to repel mosquitos.
The genus Vitex was named by Linnaeus in Species Plantarum in 1753. Vitex was the
name used by Pliny the Elder for Vitex agnus-castus. It is derived from the
Latin vieo, meaning to weave or to tie up, a reference to the use of Vitex
agnus-castus in basketry. Vitex is one of several genera that was
transferred from Verbenaceae to Lamiaceae in the 1990s as a result of
phylogenetic studies of DNA sequences. It is the largest genus in the subfamily
Viticoideae of Lamiaceae. Taxon sampling in molecular phylogenetic studies has
never been sufficient to test the monophyly of Viticoideae, but it is
generally thought to be an unnatural group. The subfamily is probably
diphyletic, with Premna, Gmelina, and Cornutia constituting one clade, and
with Vitex, Petitia, Pseudocarpidium, and Teijsmanniodendron constituting the
other. Description
Vitex is a genus of shrubs and trees, from 1 to 35m tall. Some species have
whitish bark that is characteristically furrowed. Leaves are opposite, usually
compound. The fruit is a drupe. Circumscription
In 2009, a molecular phylogenetic study showed that three small genera,
Paravitex, Viticipremna, and Tsoongia are embedded in Vitex. These three
genera were duly sunk into synonymy with Vitex.
It is possible that Pseudocarpidium, Petitia, and Teijsmanniodendron are
nested within Vitex. Sampling in the 2009 study was not sufficient to
determine the phylogenetic position of these genera. The relationships of
Teijsmanniodendron to these genera was not discussed in a revision of
Teijsmanniodendron in 2009. Selected species
Vitex agnus-castus – Chasteberry, Monk's Pepper, "chastetree"
Vitex altissima L.f. = syn. Vitex alata Vitex cannabifolia
Vitex capitata Vitex chrysocarpus
Vitex cofassus Vitex divaricata
Vitex doniana Wild African black plum Sweet
Vitex incisa Vitex keniensis – Meru Oak
Vitex leucoxylon Vitex lignum-vitae – Yellow Hollywood,
"lignum-vitae" Vitex lindenii
Vitex longisepala Vitex lucens – Puriri
Vitex megapotamica Vitex negundo – Five-leaf Chastetree
Vitex obovata Vitex obovata ssp. wilmsii
Vitex parviflora – Molave Tree Vitex peduncularis
Vitex pinnata Vitex quinata
Vitex rotundifolia – Beach Vitex Vitex trifolia – Simpleleaf Chastetree
Vitex zeyheri = Formerly placed here =
Gmelina leichhardtii – Grey Teak, "white beech"
References Sources
Ray Harley, "In search of Labiatae in Eastern Brazil", Vitex: A Newsletter for
Lamiaceae & Verbenaceae Research, ISSN 1470-0123, Issue 1, February 2000, page
5. External links
List of Genera in Lamiaceae At: Lamiaceae At: Lamiales At: Angiosperm
Phylogeny Website At: Missoure Botanical Garden Website
Vitex At:Index Nominum Genericorum At: References At: NMNH Department of Botany
Vitex In: Species Plantarum volume 2 At: Biodiversity Heritage Library
CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names: R-Z At: Botany & Plant Science At: Life
Science At: CRC Press Systematics of Lamiaceae Subfamily
Viticoideae At: Kew Gardens