Vitex lucens

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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:

• Gmelina macrophylla, Ephialis simplicifolia, Gmelina dalrympleana, Vitex dalrympleana, Vitex macrophylla (Grey Teak)
• Vitex agnus castus (Chaste Berry, Chasteberry, Hemptree, Agnus castus, Abraham's balm)
• Vitex glabrata (Black Currant Tree, Smooth Chastetree)
• Vitex megapotamica (Taruma)
• Vitex negundo (Five-leaved Chaste Tree)
• Vitex rotundifolia (Beach Vitex, Pohinahina, Roundleaf Chastetree, Kolokolo, Kahakai)
• Vitex sp. Variegata (Variegated Arabian Lilac)
• Vitex trifolia Purpurea (Arabian Lilac)
• Vitex trifolia Variegata (Variegated Arabian Lilac)