monk's pepper

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chaste Tree
• Chasteberry
• Monk's Pepper
• Lilac Chastetree
• Chaste-tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Agnus-castus robusta
• Vitex agnus-castus f. laciniosa
• Vitex haussknechtii
• Agnus-castus alba
• Agnus-castus macrostachya
• Vitex agnus-castus f. albiflora
• Vitex agnus-castus var. serrata
• Vitex negundo var. macrophylla
• Vitex integra
• Vitex hybrida
• Vitex lupinifolia
• Vitex agnus-castus var. pseudonegundo
• Agnus-castus vulgaris
• Vitex verticillata
• Vitex agnus-castus var. alba
• Vitex agnus-castus f. alba
• Vitex agnus-castus subsp. haussknechtii
• Agnus-castus vulgaris var. alba
• Vitex pseudonegundo
• Vitex agnus-castus f. rosea
• Vitex robusta
• Vitex agnus-castus f. latifolia
• Vitex agnus
• Vitex agnus-castus var. caerulea
• Vitex agnus-castus f. caerulea
• Vitex agnus-castus var. laciniosa
• Vitex agnus-castus var. latifolia
• Vitex agnus-castus var. angustifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Vitex agnus-castus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Vitex.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical presence across several distinct regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, it can be found growing within the borders of Germany. Its distribution extends significantly into Southwestern Europe, where it is established in France. Furthermore, the species is located on several Mediterranean islands, including Corse and Sardegna. Finally, its range in the southwestern region also encompasses the Baleares.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vitex agnus-castus is characterized by its ability to adapt to diverse environments, including anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) where human activity has influenced its distribution. The species occupies a specific altitudinal gradient, typically thriving at a mean elevation of 100 m AMSL. However, its ecological range is notably broad, stretching from a minimum elevation of 800 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 1700 m AMSL, demonstrating significant resilience across varying topographical and climatic zones.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Vitex agnus-castus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-term presence in its habitat. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the species is classified as a nanophanerophyte, a life form where the perennial woody parts are kept close to the ground or at a low height, typically not exceeding 25 centimeters above the soil surface, though this can vary depending on environmental conditions and specific ecological niches. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and a low-growing woody structure enables the plant to withstand seasonal fluctuations and maintain stability within its ecosystem over many years.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vitex agnus-castus is characterized by a self-supporting growth form, primarily existing as a woody shrub. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant is non-climbing, maintaining a sturdy, self-supporting structure without the need for lianas or vines. In terms of stature, it reaches a maximum plant height of approximately 1.5 m, presenting a robust woody habit consistent with its classification as a shrub.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vitex agnus-castus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under varying environmental conditions. This metabolic framework is closely integrated with its structural leaf adaptations, specifically evidenced by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 120.1 cm²/g. This SLA value reflects the plant's strategy for balancing light interception and resource acquisition, indicating a moderate leaf thickness and density that supports its physiological resilience and growth patterns within its natural habitat.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

120.1 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vitex agnus-castus is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle and the production of small, lightweight seeds. The flowering period typically commences in June and concludes in August, although the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds that exhibit significant variation in size; the seed mass ranges from a minimum of 0.0068 g to a maximum of 0.02001 g, with an overall mean seed mass of approximately 0.009703333 g.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Seed mass max:

0.02001 g

Seed mass mean:

0.009703333 g

Seed mass min:

0.0068 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vitex agnus-castus has 6 reported plant parts identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf, flower, root, seed.

Fruit

1. Complementary therapies in nursing & midwifery
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
3. Planta medica
4. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences
5. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Leaf

1. Complementary therapies in nursing & midwifery
2. BioMed research international
3. Current medical mycology

Flower

1. BioMed research international

Root

1. BioMed research international

Seed

1. BioMed research international

Stem

1. BioMed research international

Chemicals

Vitex agnus-castus has 134 reported phytochemicals identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Casticin, Agnuside, Flavonoids, 3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID, p-Hydroxybenzoic acid.

Casticin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR
3. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences
4. PloS one
5. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Agnuside

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences
3. PloS one
4. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
5. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Flavonoids

1. Dr. Duke
2. Bratislavske lekarske listy
3. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Phytotherapy research : PTR

3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR
3. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences
4. BioMed research international

p-Hydroxybenzoic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR
3. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences
4. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

1,8-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica
3. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias

Artemetin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR
3. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Aucubin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR
3. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Vanillic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR
3. BioMed research international

(E)-Caryophyllene

1. Dr. Duke
2. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias

Activities

Vitex agnus-castus has 322 reported activities identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Estrogenic, Antiinflammatory, Cytotoxic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. BioMed research international
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. BioMed research international
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Estrogenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
3. Frontiers in pharmacology

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Experimental parasitology

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Vitex agnus-castus has 32 reported investigations on conditions identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include premenstrual syndrome, mastalgia, Candida albicans, amenorrhea, hirsutism.

Premenstrual syndrome

1. Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (Washington, D.C. : 1996)
2. Planta medica
3. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Mastalgia

1. Bratislavske lekarske listy
2. Primary care
3. Journal of pharmacopuncture
4. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Candida albicans

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Current medical mycology

Amenorrhea

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. BioMed research international

Hirsutism

1. Current drug discovery technologies
2. JBRA assisted reproduction

Hot flashes

1. Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Oligomenorrhea

1. Current drug discovery technologies
2. BioMed research international

Aspergillus niger

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chagas disease

1. Experimental parasitology

Hiv-1

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Vitex agnus-castus has 19 reported preparations identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include VAC extracts, essential oils, extract, Standardized Dry Extract from the Fruits, Ze 440.

Vac extracts

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Essential oils

1. Complementary therapies in nursing & midwifery
2. Experimental parasitology

Extract

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. PloS one

Standardized dry extract from the fruits

1. Planta medica

Ze 440

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Aqueous extracts

1. Current medical mycology

Capsule

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Dried ripe fruit

1. Planta medica

Ethanolic vitex agnus-castus fruit-extracts

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Ethanolic extracts

1. Current medical mycology