Chinese Chastetree
Vitex negundo
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Andaman Is., Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hainan, India, Iran, Japan, Korea, Laccadive Is., Madagascar, Maldives, Marianas, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicobar Is., Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam, Virgin Islands
Francisco Manuel Blanco (O.S.A.)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Genus:
- Vitex
- Species:
- Vitex negundo
- USDA Symbol:
- VINE2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, purple, lavender, white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the root crown after top-kill by fire or frost.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy loam
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to riverbanks and open areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification; fresh seed may germinate without pretreatment.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI