Xeriscape Landscaping Plants For The Arizona Desert Environment
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Trees

Chaste Tree, Vitex agnus - castus

Chaste Tree, Vitex agnus - castus Photo Taken At Arrowhead Ranch, May 15, 2006.

Monk's Pepper, Vitex agnus - castus Smell Great!	Chaste Tree, Vitex agnus - castus Bee's Love Them
Chaste Tree Flowers Close	Chaste Tree Leaf
Pink Chaste Tree	Pink Chaste Tree Flowers
Pink Chaste Tree Flowers	Pink Chaste Tree Flower

Chaste Tree Vitex agnus - castus, Verbena Family ( Verbenaceae ), Chaste Tree. Also Called: Monk's Pepper. A large irregular shrub or multistemmed deciduous tree, sometimes single stemmed. The Chaste Tree name or Monk's Pepper, comes from the fact that when used as tea it reduces sexual desire. Modern studies show that some of the compounds in the leaves inhibit the production of male hormones. Considered pool friendly. Also considered butterfly friendly. Smells Great! Most flower types are purple but there are other colors that are a light purple - pink. Height: About 10 to 25 feet. Same spread. Flowers: On purple spikes 7 to about 12 inches long, drooping from terminal portions of branches, appearing in the late spring and early summer. Blooming Time: April to June. Stems/Trunks : An attractive rough trunk; multistemmed deciduous tree, sometimes single stemmed. Leaves: The leaves are palmately compound; with an odd number of linear leaflets (usually 5); dark green above, lighter underneath. Seeds: Small hard round seed, smells like pepper, dark purple when ripe. Can hurt if stepped on barefoot. Elevation: 0 - 2,400 Feet. Habitat: Landscaping. Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken Arrowhead Ranch, May 15, 2006.