Contractions. - Agn. Cast. Agn.

Vitex Agnus Castus. Nat. ord., Verbenaceae.

Synonym. - V. verticillata.

Fig. - Woodville's Med. Bot., vol. ii., pl. 137.

The Chaste Tree. For. names: German, Keusch-lamm, Monchs-pfeffer; French, Gattilier commun.

Habitat. - The shores of the Mediterranean, Provence, and Greece; on sandy spots and at the foot of rocks.

Flowering time. - July to September.

Parts employed. - The ripe berries, fresh or recently dried.

Characters. - A bush from 3 to 5 feet high, much branched. Leaves opposite, petiolate, digitate, 5 - 7 partite; colour dark green on upper, greyish on under surface, with a very strong smell. Flowers numerous, blue or purple, in long terminal spikes. Berries somewhat like a peppercorn.

Time for collecting. - When the berries are ripe.

Preparation. - Tincture, corresponding in alcoholic strength with 20 O.P. spirit.

Reference to Horn. Proving. - Stapf's Additions.

Proper forms for dispensing. - φ and upwards, Tincture, Pilules, or Globules.