CHASTE TREE

also called Monk's Pepper Tree, or Wild Lavender (Vitex agnus-castus), aromatic shrub growing to 5 metres (about 16 feet) tall, bearing spikes of rose-lavender flowers. It belongs in the verbena family (Verbenaceae), order Lamiales. Its pliable twigs are used in basketry, and its red fruits are used for flavouring. The undersides of its five- to seven-lobed leaves and its branches are white felted. It is native to Eurasia and is naturalized in North America.