Vitex negundo, commonly known as the chinese chaste tree or the five-leaved chaste, is a species of flowering plant in the Verbenaceae. Here are some key points about Vitex negundo:
Appearance: Vitex negundo is a deciduous shrub or small tree that typically grows to a height of 2 to 8 meters (6.5 to 26 feet). It has palmately compound leaves with five leaflets, which give it the common name "five-leaved chaste tree." The leaves are aromatic when crushed. The plant produces small, tubular, lilac to blue-violet flowers in dense terminal spikes.
Distribution: Vitex negundo is native to parts of Asia, including India, China, and Southeast Asia. It is also cultivated in other regions as an ornamental plant and for its medicinal properties.
Medicinal Uses: Various parts of Vitex negundo, including the leaves, seeds, and roots, have been used in traditional medicine for a wide range of ailments. In traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, it is believed to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, and antimicrobial properties. It has been used to treat conditions such as rheumatism, coughs, colds, fever, and skin disorders.
Culinary Uses: In some cultures, the leaves of Vitex negundo are used as a culinary herb, often added to dishes for their flavor and medicinal properties.
Ecological Importance: Vitex negundo provides habitat and food for various insects, birds, and small mammals. Its flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Growing Instructions
The seeds have a period of dormancy. They can be planted outdoors in the fall or winter for spring germination or they can be cold stratified to simulate winter conditions and to break their dormancy at any time of the year.
Place the seeds in a plastic bag and seal it. Store the bag in a refrigerator for two months.
Fill a pot with potting soil.
Sow the seeds on the soil and cover them with a thin layer of soil.
Water the container and leave it to drain.
Put the pot in a warm, sunny area.
Water the pot regularly so that the soil is moist but not wet. The seeds take 4-6 weeks to germinate, although some of the seeds may take longer than that to germinate.
The seedlings can be transplanted when they are a few inches tall.