| beach vitex |
USDA PLANTS Symbol: VIRO80 USDA ARS GRIN: 41839 ITIS: 505725 NAPIS: PFIAJBB |
| Vitex rotundifolia L. f. | |
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Lamiales: Verbenaceae |
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Beach vitex is a perennial shrub with a woody stem that can sprawl more than 60 ft. (18 m) across the ground. Plants are up to 2 ft. (0.6 m) tall. Brittle stems tend to break off in high tide and float off and colonize new areas. Leaves are oval, silvery-gray and 1-2 in. (2.5-5 cm) long. Flowering occurs throughout the year, when small clusters of violet flowers develop at the ends of the branches. Fruit are round, ΒΌ in. (0.6 cm) in diameter and dark purplish-black when mature. Beach vitex is native to the Pacific Rim and was introduced into the continental United States in the 1980s as a beach stabilization plant. Plants prefer sandy soils in full sun. |
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| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Plant(s); habit Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); in pots Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); flowering habit Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); flowers and leaves Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); flowers and fruit Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); habit Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); habit Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); habit Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; habit Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; habit Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; August 24, 2004. Randy Westbrooks, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; August 4, 2004; Beach Vitex spreading from secondary dunes Randy Westbrooks, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; July, 2006. Randy Westbrooks, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Plants stripped of runner and fruit by major winter storm. December, 2004. Randy Westbrooks, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; July 13, 2005; Seascapes Isle of Palms Randy Westbrooks, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); in pots Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
Taxonomic References:
- USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
Invasive Listing Sources:
- National Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Target Species 2006, 2007
- North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
- Alabama Invasive Plant Council Watch list A
- North Carolina Noxious Weeds Class B
- South Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council Severe Threat
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