Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Thursday - May 12, 2005
From: Atlanta, GA
Region: Other
Topic: Invasive Plants
Title: Smarty Plants on vitex
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I recently purchased a vitex tree and I don't know anything about it other that it blooms. Can you tell me everything there is about this tree?ANSWER:
The Common Chaste-tree or Lilac Chaste-tree (Vitex agnus-castus) is not native to North America. It was introduced from the Mediterranean regions of southern Europe, northern Africa and western Asia. Here are more photos and further information about the Vitex tree.Compounds made from the roots, flowers, leaves, bark and dried fruits of the tree have been used since ancient times in treating "female" disorders. The species name, agnus-castus from the Greek, means chaste since it was thought by the Greeks to suppress sexual passion. You can read more about its history and uses as an herbal medicine.
More Invasive Plants Questions
Removing Creeping Fig Suckers
October 17, 2012 - Help Mr Smarty Plants,
I am helping a neighbor remove a creeping fig from her property and want to know if there is any product that will soften, emulsify or remove the remaining sucker roots on the ...
view the full question and answer
Passionflower Vine for Boulder
March 02, 2013 - I would love to have a passionflower vine growing up an arbor. I have read comments online that indicate: 1. I can grow some types of passionflowers in Colorado. 2. The plants can become very invasiv...
view the full question and answer
Replacing non-native invasives with native grasses and wildflowers from Round Rock TX
April 04, 2012 - I have a small piece of property (1.5 AC) East of Austin, Texas that get's overgrown with weedy vegetation (johnson grass, dandelion, and some tall yellow flowering plant that I see all over the medi...
view the full question and answer
Should the herbicide Ornamec 170 be used on unwanted grasses?
March 15, 2012 - I have a lovely wildflower garden in a field behind my house; unfortunately, the wildflowers are being smothered by grasses. I understand that Ornamec 170 can be used to control grasses in wildflower...
view the full question and answer
Eradication of invasive thistles in Parma OH
July 11, 2010 - Lawn is full of prickly weeds with very deep roots. May be called Scotch Thistle, although id is not confirmed. They will grow as tall as they can amid other plants, and when mowed in the lawn, they...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |