Beach Vitex

Scientific name: Vitex rotundifolia L. f.

Common names: Beach vitex, chasteberry, roundleaf chastetree, Monk’s pepper

Native To: Asia

Date of U.S. Introduction: 1980s

Images: Invasive.org and Google

Means of Introduction: Introduced for erosion control

Impact: Crowds out native species and destroys sea turtle nesting habitat

Current U.S. Distribution:

• PLANTS Database map (see complete PLANTS Profile for county distribution and native status)
• Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System (county distribution for Southeastern States)
• South Carolina map

Management Plans: Plants

Selected Internet Resources:

• Federal Government
• State Government
• University/Academic
• International
• Organizations

Vitex rotundifolia
Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
Taxonomy

"Kudzu of the Beach" Threatens Carolina Dunes - Engineer Update (Feb 2004)
United States Army Corps of Engineers.
Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution

Vitex rotundifolia Article Citation Search - AGRICOLA Database
USDA. National Agricultural Library.
Research; Special Note: NAL Catalog Search (resources)

Vitex rotundifolia - Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN)
USDA. ARS. National Genetic Resources Program.
Taxonomy

Plant profile for Vitex rotundifolia - PLANTS Database
USDA. NRCS. National Plant Data Center.
Taxonomy; Distribution

Life's a Beach
DOI. United States Geological Survey.
Photographs; Impacts; Dispersion

Beach Vitex Alert!
Hilton Head Island Municipal Government.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts

Identifying & Managing Beach Vitex
Clemson University Extension. Home and Garden Information Center.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Controls

Beach Vitex - Invasive Species
Mississippi State University. GeoResources Institute. Land, Water, and Atmosphere.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Distribution

International

Vitex rotundifolia (shrub) - ISSG Global Invasive Species Database
World Conservation Union. Invasive Species Specialist Group.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

Vitex rotundifolia - Plants of Hawaii
Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk.
Photographs

Beach vitex
Invasive.org.
Taxonomy; Photographs; Special Note: Resources

South Carolina Beach Vitex Task Force
North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Special Note: Volunteer information

Hawaiian Plant Threatens South Carolina Dunes (PDF | 389 KB)
South Carolina Native Plant Society.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Habitat; Controls