Agnus Castus

Agnus Castus benifite

The tree pepper or chaste tree (Vitex agnus castus) is a species of shrubs belonging to the family of Verbenaceae in the conventional classification, or that of Lamiaceae according to phylogenetic classification.
It is a bushy shrub-webbed compound leaves and inflorescences cob of small purplish flowers.

Vigorous and rustic, it can achieve 1.5 to 2 m high, or even much more for the elderly and in good conditions: Pierre Lieutaghi cites in his book The Book of trees and shrubs, reaching 10 of gattiliers meters high and 1 meter tower and over1.
Its flowers are blue in thin panicles in August-September.
Called "chaste tree" in English, "chaste tree" in français2, it is deemed to calm the sexual ardor and was used especially in mattresses médiévaux3 beds. It also draws a spice called "pepper of the monks."

This shrub is content but poor draining soils and tolerates drought a once installed.

It is possible to cuttings chaste tree by taking herbaceous rod ends in summer. The seedlings in a cold frame in autumn also gives good results.

The shrub resembles the Chinese privet (Vitex negundo), with which it could be confused. He also mentioned quite the buddleia (unrelated shrub), both by general appearance and by its inflorescences (the leaves are clearly distinct, however, made-webbed with simple and chaste tree in the buddleia).

Also used in case of painful periods in women.