chaste tree

noun

1. a shrub or small tree, Vitex agnus-castus, of southern Europe, having aromatic, hairy leaves and long clusters of fragrant, pale lilac-blue flowers.

chaste tree

noun

1. a small ornamental verbenaceous tree, Vitex agnus-castus, of S Europe and SW Asia, with spikes of pale blue flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of chaste tree¹

1555–65; translation of Latin agnus castus, variant of agnos castus (by influence of agnus lamb) < Greek ágnos kind of willow + Latin castus chaste, reinforcement of the idea thought to be in ágnos by confusion with Greek hagnós pure

Example Sentences

It was vitex agnus-castus, also known as the “chaste tree.”

From New York Times

It also produces a re-flowering chaste tree.

From Washington Post

A chaste tree, a purple flowering tree that may grow 15 feet high and around, is the centerpiece of the American Airlines garden, which features a variety of milkweeds, purple coneflower, yellow black-eyed Susan, red-and-yellow blanket flower, purple prairie verbena, 2-foot-tall pink spikes of blazing star and the stone walkway, which forms a blue and red AA.

From Washington Times

Chasteberry comes from the chaste tree and is thought to affect hormone levels.

From Time

Add chaste tree to a lawn, patio, or spot near the street.

From Southern Living