Phinahina or Beach vitexLamiaceae (Mint family)Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands (All the main islands except Kahoolawe). Naturalized only in southeastern states along the east and gulf coasts.Photo: Oahu (Cultivated)Phinahina leaves are aromatic with a sage-like spicy odor when crushed and smelling much like the simpleleaf vitex (Vitex trifolia) frequently used in Hawaiian landscaping as hedges. Other descriptions of the leaf fragrance are black pepper, basil, minty, and fir trees or "like being in a forest."EtymologyThe generic name Vitex is derived from the Latin viere, to bind or twist, in reference to the flexible creeping stems of some species.The specific epithet rotundifolia is from the Latin rotundatus, rounded, and folius, leaves, in reference to the round-shaped leaves of this species.NPH00002nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Vitex_rotundifolia
Multi-branched small tree. Foliage and flowers are aromatic. DeciduousFamily: LamiaceaeNative to Mediterranean region.The seeds (berries) has been used to suppress male and female sexual desire. That is way it called Chaste or 'Monk's pepper'. , , " "Photographed in Mt. Coot-tha Botanical Gardens, Brisbane, Australia,Chaste = , , , ,
Phinahina or Beach vitexLamiaceaeIndigenous to the Hawaiian Islands Oahu (Cultivated)Phinahina leaves are aromatic with a sage-like spicy odor when crushed and smelling much like the simpleleaf vitex (Vitex trifolia) frequently used in Hawaiian landscaping as hedges.Other descriptions of the leaf fragrance are black pepper, basil, minty, and fir trees or "like being in a forest."NPH00001nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Vitex_rotundifolia