A few vitex species are cultivated as woody ornamentals or for beach stabilization. No physical control methods are widely used in the United States. On January 18, 2007, the Town Council approved the Beach Vitex Eradication Program and passed the ordinance regarding Beach Vitex (see below).To learn more about beach vitex:www.beachvitex.orgBEACH VITEX ERADICATION PROGRAMIf a Kure Beach property owner finds Beach Vitex … YouTube - Beach Vitex: Kudzu of the Coast? The visually attractive beach vitex, scientifically known as Vitex rotundifolia, sprawls well across the turtles’ favorite nesting site, sand dunes, and sprouts clusters of delicate purple flowers.In the United States, the plant grows natively only in Hawaii, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Its range includes continents and islands stretching from India east to Hawaii and … This refers to the round shape of the leaves. Beach vitex is in the mint family. During the past 25 years, erosion has claimed about 1,200 acres from four primary barrier islands in the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge nature north of Charleston, according to statistics … Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. There are approximately 250 species of vitex ranging from temperate to tropical habitats. In: B.L. Its range includes continents and islands stretching from India east to Hawaii and from Korea south to Australia. Those commonly cultivated include lilac chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus L.), negundo chastetree (Vitex negundo L.), beach vitex, and simpleleaf chastetree (Vitex trifolia L.). Beach Vitex is an invasive plant that spreads rapidly and poses a threat to native plants and animals. Currently, beach vitex blankets a number of oceanfront dunes in … The website also provides access to a database and images of plants photos and herbarium specimens found at participating herbaria. The City of Virginia Beach and the City of Norfolk, in partnership with Virginia Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Conservation and Recreation, worked with … The Mississippi State University Extension Service is working to ensure all web content is accessible to all users. Olsen, R.T. and A.C. Bell. Thickets can reach 15-60 cm high. In addition to threatening natural sand dune plant communities, beach vitex degrades endangered loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta L.) nesting habitat as well as habitat for the federally threatened plant, seabeach amaranth (Amaranthus pumilus Raf.). Or, to display all related content view all resources for Beach Vitex. The .gov means it’s official.Federal government websites always use a .gov or .mil domain. Plants grow down to the ocean waves themselves. Beach vitex is still sold and used as an ornamental, which is another means of dispersal. Beach Vitex Control With Selected ... habitat distribution • Soil seed bank is such that even after the removal of BV, there will be enough seeds to reestablish the area. 3. Maps can be downloaded and shared. National Invasive Species Information Center, Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS) - Beach Vitex. IFAS. Invasive Plant Science and Management 3:340–345. Seeds float and can be carried in longshore currents and waves to other beaches. Beach vitex, chasteberry, roundleaf chastetree, Monk’s pepper, Introduced for erosion control (Olsen and Bell 2005), Crowds out native species and may destroy sea turtle nesting habitat (Cousins et al. Beach Vitex (BV) (Vitex rotundifolia-L. f.) has become a major invasive plant in the fragile beach ecosystems of the Carolinas.This prostrate, salt tolerant shrub from the Pacific Rim was introduced to the southeastern United States as a landscape plant. As an obligate seashore shrub, beach vitex grows along rocky and sandy shorelines and coastal areas up to fifty feet above sea level. Before sharing sensitive information online, make sure you’re on a .gov or .mil site by inspecting your browser’s address (or “location”) bar. Habitat description Vitex rotundifolia is an obligate sand dune species (Kim, 2005). Vitex rotundifolia, the roundleaf chastetree or beach vitex is a species of Vitex that is native to seashores throughout the Pacific. Clemson University Cooperative Extension. This woody perennial plant typically grows approximately 1 m in height. V. rotundifolia is highly tolerant of the harsh beach dune environment characterized by intense heat, high wind, coarse-textured soil, and elevated salinity. Leaf arrangement is opposite (Figure 3). Product Description. Beach vitex (Vitex rotundifolia): an invasive coastal species (PDF | 248 KB). This invasive shrub, the seeds of which are dispersed by the sea, grows on the shores of the Mediterranean, Central Asia, India, Southeast Asia, China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the Pacific Islands. Since its introduction in the 1980s, this Pacific Rim native has invaded many fragile beach-dune ecosystems along the Mid-Atlantic, Southern Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico. Brittle stems can break off during high tides, float away, root, and colonize other beaches. The South Carolina Beach Vitex Task Force has documented beach vitex at more than 115 locations along the South Carolina coast. It also occurs along the North Carolina coast and was recently observed on a beach in Alabama. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. §25-61-19. species. Field and Greenhouse Trials Objective: To evaluate selected herbicides for beach vitex control. If you need assistance accessing any of our content, please email the webteam or call 662-325-2262. All rights reserved. Vitex Species, Beach Vitex, Round-Leaf Chaste Tree (Vitex trifolia subsp. Habitat. Atlanta, Ga.: Southern Nursery Association. V. rotundifolia grows along sandy and rocky coasts from 0 to 15 m above sea level. Beach Vitex (BV) (Vitex rotundifolia-L. f.) has become a major invasive plant in the fragile beach ecosystems of the Carolinas. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839. Beach vitex is a vine that grows along the surface of sandy areas, like dunes. Beach vitex is fast-growing and drought- and salt-tolerant. Hatchlings have become trapped in the thick tangle of vegetation on the Isle of Palms, which can exhaust them and lead to their death before ever reaching the ocean. It has a main taproot from which the runners (stolons) extend in a radiating pattern, like a skinny-legged starfish. USDA. Price: $1.80. 2005. 1. Revised by John D. Byrd Jr., PhD, Extension/Research Professor, and Victor Maddox, PhD, Senior Research Associate, Plant and Soil Sciences. Flowers are blue-purple, fragrant, 1 inch wide, and arranged in short inflorescences out of the leaf axils (Figure 3). It has since Large-scale monocultures of beach vitex … National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490. This Beach Vitex (Vitex rotundifolia) is a case in point. Stems root along their length, forming a mat on the sand. Google. However, simpleleaf vitex is upright and shrubby, while beach vitex is a prostrate, sprawling shrub (Figure 2). Beach and simpleleaf vitex have been considered a single, highly variable species (Vitex rotundifolia). Globally, it is present in both tropical (where it is evergreen) and temperate (deciduous) climatic regions. . Beach vitex (Vitex rotundifolia), a deciduous, woody vine from the Pacific Rim now invading the South Carolina coastlines, is also damaging turtle nesting sites. Beach vitex is fast-growing and drought- and salt-tolerant. With all foliar treatments, a nonionic surfactant should be added to the spray solution at 1–2 quarts per 100 gallons spray solution. The section below contains highly relevant resources for this species, organized by source. Efforts are now underway to map and monitor its spread. http://northinlet.sc.edu/resource/vitex.htm#Vitex%20Intro. USDA, NRCS. Beach vitex is scientifically known as Vitex rotundifolia.The scientific name is Latin meaning round leaf. It is also known as monks pepper, single leaf chaste tree, chasteberry, and round-leaved chaste tree. Beach vitex is reported to be native to Indo-Malaysia and Hawaii, but it is found from China, Taiwan, and Japan south to Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Australia, the Pacific Islands, and Hawaii. Leaves are 2 inches long and 1.5 inch wide. litoralis) by htop Jan 5, 2008 7:58 PM possibly an interspecific hybrid between V. rotundifolia and V. agnus-castus Beach vitex spreading from beach front properties on Pawleys Island, SC. Height: 3. Plants should be removed before fruit ripening to avoid seed dispersal. Beach vitex in Point Clear, AL, showing its leaves and flowers. Copyright © 2020 Mississippi State University Extension Service. Beach vitex is a prolific seed producer but can also spread from stem (runner) fragments (Figure 2). The stolons will develop secondary roots, which can form smaller deep root systems, and the entire maze of vines grows very … Severely alters native habitat by dominating primary dune areas with dense, sprawling, perennial, woody cover (Beach Vitex Task Force, 2013). ARS. GRIN-Global. Some have been found dead, entangled within the rhizome mats. In the Midsouth, beach vitex has escaped in Alabama, and mapping efforts are underway to determine if it exists in other Midsouth states. 2010. Imazapyr (Habitat) was effective either applied as foliage spray or as a cut stem treatment. [Accessed Sep 10, 2014]. This publication may be copied and distributed without alteration for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension Service. University of Georgia. Beach vitex is a salt-tolerant, perennial, invasive shrub that has naturalized in coastal areas of the southeastern United States. It has escaped from cultivation in the Southeastern U.S., with free-living populations in Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida (suspected). This woody perennial plant typically grows approximately 1 m in height. Beach vitex, having a taproot system, are not as effective. Habitat Currently, beach vitex blankets a number of oceanfront dunes in the Carolinas … Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. 2010). Code Ann. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Compliance and Integrity. Discrimination in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status protected by applicable law is prohibited. Beach vitex is highly salt and drought-tolerant (GRI, 2006) and grows best in full sun and sandy or well-drained soils (SCNPS, undated). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Beach vitex is still sold and used as an ornamental, which is another means of dispersal. A waxy substance moves from the deciduous leaves and seeds, causing hydrophobic sand and soils, giving beach vitex a competitive advantage. Beach Vitex grows so aggressively that during the 60 day incubation time many turtle nests are overgrown, entrapping the hatchlings. Thickets can reach 15-60 cm high. Beach vitex, man hyung ja (Korea), hamagou (Japanese), dan ye man jing (Chinese) Habitat and Description. University of Florida. 2010) §25-61-19, This site was last modified on: Dec-25-2020 2:32 amhttp://extension.msstate.edu/publications/beach-vitex-vitex-rotundifolia-lf, Weed Scientist/Weed Control - Agronomic and Horticultural Crops and noncropland, STEM – Science Technology Engineering and Math, Thad Cochran Agricultural Leadership Program TCALP, Mississippi County Elections: Election Prep 101, Extension Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy, Creating Healthy Indoor Childcare Environments, Plant Diseases and Nematode Diagnostic Services, Master Naturalist course begins Sept. 7 in Biloxi, Actively battle invasive cogongrass in the state, Now is the time to spot, treat cogongrass patches, Control resistant weeds before spring planting, Exotic plants produce unwanted fields of white, Selecting Landscape Trees With Special Comments on Invasive and Native Plants, Selecting Landscape Shrubs With Special Comments on Invasive and Native Plants, Legislative Update: Miss. South Carolina Beach Vitex Task Force. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Compliance and Integrity, 56 Morgan Avenue, P.O. 2007. Fig. Before its introduction to the southern Atlantic Coast of the U.S., beach vitex had no history of invasiveness. Beach Vitex Invades the Carolina Coast Threatening Native Dune Plants and Sea Turtles Beach vitex (Vitex rotundifolia) is a deciduous, woody vine from Japan and Korea that was introduced to the ... well as habitat for a federally threatened plant, seabeach amaranth and other rare species. Provides state, county, point and GIS data. National Genetic Resources Program. History of beach vitex cultivation: a potential invasive ornamental (PDF | 2.34 MB). Because of its invasive nature, beach vitex crowds out native dune plants such as sea oats (Uniola latifolia L.), American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata Fern. Because stems can propagate through fragmentation, be careful to remove all stems and root fragments. We are also not sure whether the local beach mice will eat these seeds. Size: NT Premium. The Beach Vitex “invasion” has become so bad that South Carolina developed a Vitex Task Force to deal with the … In 2003, in response to concerns about possible impacts of the plant on native dune species, as well as loggerhead sea turtle nesting habitat, the South Carolina Beach Vitex Task Force was organized to address the problem. 531-533). The stems are hairy at … Habitat: Coastal Dunes. Vitex rotundifolia, commonly known as Beach Vitex, is a perennial, invasive species of plant that was introduced to the southeastern United States in the mid- 1980s with hopes that it would stabilize coastal sand dunes.Beach Vitex grows quickly, has a high salt tolerance, travels well, and chokes out other (slower growing) native … Though we are not aware of any beach vitex growing on the fore dune in the panhandle, if it does it could impact sea turtle nesting. Its range includes continents and islands stretching from India east to Hawaii and from Korea south to Australia. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. Cousins, M.C., J. Briggs, C. Gresham, J. Whetstone, and T. Whitwell. In 2004, free-living plants of beach vitex were detected on North Island, a coastal barrier island near Georgetown, South Carolina, that is accessible only by boat. Programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of compliance and Integrity not desired coasts from to! 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