Vitex

Vitex is a genus of about 250 species of shrubs and trees, 1-35 m tall, native to tropical, subtropical and also warm temperate regions throughout the world. In the past widely included in the family Verbenaceae, it has recently been transferred to the family Lamiaceae (Labiatae, the Mint family).

Species include:

• Vitex agnus-castus (Chaste tree, Chasteberry or Monk's Pepper); indigenous to the Mediterranean region
• Vitex cuneata, known in West Africa for its sweet black fruit (koronfinfin in the Bamana language)
• Vitex lucens, known as Puriri; endemic to New Zealand
• Vitex keniensis, known as Meru Oak and endemic to Kenya
• Vitex negundo
• Vitex trifolia (Simpleleaf chastetree)

References