Vitex trifolia (Arabian Lilac, Hand of Mary, Simple-Leaf Chaste Tree)
Botanical Information
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Genus | Vitex |
| Species | trifolia |
| Synonyms | Vitex agnus-castus var. trifolia |
| Category | Perennials, Tropicals |
| Type | Shrub (deciduous) |
| Origin | Vitex trifolia is originally native to a wide region from southern Asia to Australia, Fiji and Polynesia. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 9a - 11 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cold season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H4 - H1c |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | (-6.6) to above 4.5 |
| Temperature (°F) | 20 - 40 |
| Height | 2 - 6 m |
| Spread | 3 - 5 m |
| Growth | Fast |
| Flowering Period | May, June, July, August, September, October, November |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | A shrub growing 2 - 6 metres tall. |
| Propagation | By woody cuttings or seed. |
| Cultivation | Grows in full sun to partial sun, in a variety of soil conditions. |
| Habitat | Found along coastlines from tropical East Africa as far east as French Polynesia. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Stem covered by soft hairs. |
| Leaf Description | Oppositely arranged along the stems and are usually compound, composed of 3 linear leaflets which range between 1 –12 cm in length. The upper surface of the leaves are green and the lower surface greyish green. |
| Flower Description | Flowers born in panicles or clusters up to 18 cm in length. |
| Fruit Description | A fleshy fruit is about 6 mm in diameter and contains 4 small black seeds. |