Chinese vitex, Indian Privet, Five-leaved chaste tree
Vitex negundo

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A small bush. It loses its leaves during the year. It can grow 5-10 m high. The leaves are compound and with 3-5 leaflets. These are sword shaped and have stalks. They are 4-12 cm long. They are dark green on the upper surface and have whitish hairs underneath. The flowers are in a spreading cluster. They are light blue or purple. The flowers are about 1 cm long. The fruit are about 1 cm across.

It is used in medicine. Also put in the family Verbenaceae.

Where it is found

It grows in subtropical uplands. It grows in moist places and near water and up to 1,700 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zone 8. At MARDI.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Britain, Cambodia, Caroline Islands, China, Cuba, East Africa (country/location of origin), Europe, Fiji, France, Guam, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mariana Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niue, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Palau, Philippines, Samoa, SE Asia, Sikkim, Singapore, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tibet, Trinidad-Tobago, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The seeds are washed to remove the bitter element then ground into flour. They are boiled and eaten. They are also used as a condiment. Both the roots and leaves are made into a tea like drink. The young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The fruit are eaten. The leaves are used to colour rice.

It is sold in local markets in China.

Edible parts

Seeds, roots - tea, leaves - tea, fruit, leaves

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed or stem cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Aggla-chita, Banna, Begundia, Beyguna, Dhunnika, Huang ping, Kyaungban-gyi, Lakkigida, Lala tea, Leban, Leggundi, Marwan, Nagaol, Nagoda, Nakkilu, Nekki, Nigudi, Nirgundi, Nirkkundi, Nishida, Nishindra, Nisind, Nisinda, Pachatia, Pasotia, Pasutia, Pohon suci daun lima, Posotia, Samalu, Sambhalu, Shambalu, Shan pu jiang, Shivari, Shiwali, Shwari, Simali, Tellavaaviti, Urik-shibi, Vaavili, Vellai-nocohi, Vellanocchi, Venmochi, Vorke abap, Warek-lou, Wu-chih-kan

Synonyms

Vitex paniculata Lam.; Vitex cannabifolia;