| Latin Name : | Vitex agnus castus |
| English Name : | Vitex |
| French Name : | Gattilier |
| Family : | Verbenaceae |
| Origin : | Bulgaria, Italy, France |
History and Origin
Vitex is a 3 to 5 metres high bush. At the end of the stems, the flowers are grouped and they form small purple, pink or withe corollas. The small dark brown fruits are the size of a grain of pepper. The whole plant has a peppery aroma and flavour. Vitex is found throughout the Mediterranean area and in Asia.
The name of the plant would come from its anaphrodisiac properties (not demonstrated scientifically). Agnus castus means "chaste lamb". About the Latin word vitex, it would come from vitilium, which means "basketwork". The tough and resistant branches of the plant were used to make wicker fences.