Vitex agnus-castus
Culinary uses:
Aromatic, but weak aroma; slightly pungent and bitter taste. Dried chaste tree berries have been used, in small scale, as a pepper substitute, but the taste is really rather weak. They might, though, have some merits in spice mixtures for barbecued or fried meat. Maybe some readers will find other useful applications.
Today, chaste tree berries are nearly forgotten, but they may appear in spice mixtures from Morocco (ras el hanout, see cubeb pepper). See also negro pepper for a discussion of hotness and pungency.
Description:
Also called sage tree, the foliage is likewise aromatic and is typically grey-green to dark green above and lighter on the undersides. The leaves also bear a striking resemblance to those of the infamous marijuana or hemp (Cannabis spp.) plant which provides yet another common name, hemp tree. When in bloom, due to the similarity of the flowers, the chaste tree is sometimes mistaken for butterfly bush (Buddleia). The chaste tree is a sprawling plant that grows 10-20 ft (3-6 m) and about as wide. Branched flower clusters are produced on new wood in late spring and early  summer in a great flush that makes the tree look like a hazy purple cloud. It continues to bloom sporadically until early fall. Not only is the tree strikingly beautiful when in full bloom, but it is also fragrant and attracts pollinating bees and hummingbirds make hungry visits. Flowers are followed by a fleshy fruit that Chervilcontains four seeds that are sometimes used as seasoning, similar to black pepper (monk's pepper is another of this species' common names). Flower color ranges from violet to blue to deep purple.
Origin:
Chaste tree carries several “sacred” names, which more or less directly refer to its reputation as an anaphrodisiac. In ancient Greece, the tree was called agnos [ἄγνος], which apparently the early Christians confused both with a similar Greek term hagnos [ἁγνός] “chaste”, and with Latin agnus “lamb”, the Christian symbol of purity. Under the name agnus castus “chaste lamb”, the plants was often used among Christian monks as a help against the evils of the more fleshy desires, of which there were many. Still today, there are many names in European languages alluding to this use of chaste tree (which, I keep hearing, is not so much in demand now). There are several names meaning “tree of chastity” (English chaste tree or Dutch kuisboom) or “monk's pepper” (French poivre des moines, Maltese bżar tal-Patrijiet, Estonian mungapipar). Another group of names refers to the Biblical patriarch Abraham: Russian Avraamovo derevo [Авраамово дерево] “Abraham's tree”, Hebrew siah avraham [שיח-אברהם] “Abraham's bush” and last but not least English Abraham's balm (see lemon balm about the word “balm”).
Cultivation:
Easy to grow in almost any soil that has good drainage! Even tolerant of salt drift. The chaste tree can take care of itself, but can be pushed to faster growth with light applications of fertilizer in spring and early summer and by mulching around the plant. If pruning is desired to control the size, it should be done in winter, since blooms form on new wood. It is hardly ever disturbed by pests or disease but is susceptible to mushroom root rot and nematodes.
Light: Sun to shade.
Moisture: Moderate to moist, well drained soil.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 6-10. In Zone 6 chaste tree is best planted against a wall for additional protection against extreme cold.
Propagation: By seed in the spring and fall or by cuttings which are easy to root in warm weather.
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