Lamiaceae
Vitex trifolia
Simpleleaf chastetree
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This large coastal shrub or small tree typically grows up to 8 metres tall. Its oppositely arranged leaves are usually trifoliate, with green upper surfaces and whitish-felted or greyish-green undersides. Fragrant violet to purple, two-lipped flowers appear in summer, followed by small fleshy, black fruits.
Where it works in Kilifi
This species thrives in full sun and well-drained, preferably sandy soils, making it excellent for coastal gardens, beach forests, and mangrove edges. It can be planted as an ornamental specimen, an informal hedge, or used for soil erosion control and sand dune restoration.
Growing notes
It is a fast-growing plant that is drought-tolerant once established but benefits from moderate watering to avoid extremes of soil moisture. Though ornamental, it can be considered invasive in some introduced areas, and its foliage is known to trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: wikipedia.org, shootgardening.com, levypreserve.org, consultaplantas.com, cabidigitallibrary.org, smgrowers.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.