Chaste bean, Chaste tree, Wild pepper, Monk's pepper
Vitex agnus-castus

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A deciduous shrub or tree. It grows 7 m tall. It has an aroma. The leaves are divided. They are greyish-green and silvery underneath. The flowers are showy and lilac or lavender. They are in spikes at the ends of the branches. The fruit is small and fleshy with a stone inside. The fruit are 3 mm across. They are black and in clusters.

The seeds stimulate progesterone production. Also put in the family Verbenaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It will grow in most soils. It needs a protected, sunny position. It is native to S Europe. It grows in dry deciduous woodland. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Britain, Central Asia, China, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Europe (country/location of origin), France, Greece, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Hawaii, India, Italy, Mediterranean, Montenegro, Morocco, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Philippines, Portugal, SE Asia, Sicily, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Suriname, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

The seeds are used as a spice. They are a substitute for pepper. The leaves are used as a spice.

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Seeds, spice, leaves

How it is grown

It can be grown from seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Agnus castus, Chaste-tree, Five-leaf chaste tree, Hayit, Hemp-tree, Monk's pepper tree, Navadna konopljika

Synonyms

Vitex agnus Stokes; Vitex hybrida Moldenke; Vitex integra Medik.; Vitex latifolia Mill.; and others