Vitex lucens (Puriri)

Vitex lucens (Puriri) pink flower and round red fruit hanging from green leafy tree branches
Vitex lucens (Puriri) with clusters of pink tubular flowers alongside round red fruit on branches.

Botanical name: Vitex lucens

Common names: Puriri, New Zealand Chaste tree

Family: Lamiaceae    (Formerly:Verbenaceae)

Origin: New Zealand

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 9-11

Large tree taller than 20 ftPlant form: Large tree
Plant mature sizeMature height: 20 ft or more
Full sunSemi-shadeSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor; semi-shade
Cold toleranceCold tolerance: Frost sensitive. Protect from freezing.
Pink flowersFlower color: Pink
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; large gardens
Ornamental foliageFoliage color: Ornamental foliage
Plant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsWildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

The name Chaste tree for this species comes from a species of southern Europe,Vitex agnus-castus, where it was treated by ancients as a symbol of chastity and long ago discussed in this regard by Pliny the Elder. Puriri does not mean that the species from New Zealand is pure, but coincidentally a tree along the coast near the Bay of Plenty is treated as sacred by the Maori people; they claim that the remains of important ancestors repose in large cavities within its roots.

Similar plants: Vitex lucens (Puriri)


Image gallery: 8 images
Vitex lucens (Puriri) green leaves with small round pink fruit close up plant branch
Vitex lucens (Puriri) green leaves with small round pink fruit tucked among the thick foliage
Vitex lucens (Puriri) with pink flowers and red fruit on a close up branch
Vitex lucens (Puriri) with delicate pink flowers and round red fruit clustered on green stems.
Vitex lucens (Puriri) with numerous round pink fruit clusters hanging from the green foliage branches.
Vitex lucens (Puriri) clusters of round pink fruit nestled among the waxy green pointed leaves.
Vitex lucens (Puriri) pink flower close up, showing tubular petals and green leafy stem.
Vitex lucens (Puriri) pink tubular flower among shiny green leaves and round red fruit.
Vitex lucens (Puriri) with pink flower, close up of tubular petals and green foliage.
Vitex lucens (Puriri) tubular pink flower alongside green leaves and developing round fruit nearby.
Vitex lucens (Puriri) with pink flower, green leaves, and red fruit, close up shot.
Vitex lucens (Puriri) displays pink flower clusters with dark green leaves and small red fruit.
Vitex lucens (Puriri) with round pink fruit hanging from a thick woody branch close up.
Vitex lucens (Puriri) thick woody branch holding many round pink fruit surrounded by green leaves.
Vitex lucens (Puriri) green leaves with small red fruit clusters on a large tree
Vitex lucens (Puriri) foliage filled with clusters of small red fruit during the summer season


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/vitex_lucens.htm
About Tropical Plant Encyclopedia · Pictogram Guide·