Vitex

Vitex was introduced from Southern Europe and Western Asia. Sometimes called Texas Lilac, it is neither a lilac nor from Texas. Texas lilac is a marketing name only. It is a sprawling small tree or large shrub, 10 – 20 feet high and wide. Often grown as ornamental for its attractive purple flowers. 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. Flowers are followed by a fleshy fruit that contains 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.