It has escaped from cultivation in the Southeastern U.S., with free-living populations in Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida (suspected). 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. Field and Greenhouse Trials Objective: To evaluate selected herbicides for beach vitex control. The .gov means it’s official.Federal government websites always use a .gov or .mil domain. Fig. Cousins, M.C., J. Briggs, C. Gresham, J. Whetstone, and T. Whitwell. Size: NT Premium. Before sharing sensitive information online, make sure you’re on a .gov or .mil site by inspecting your browser’s address (or “location”) bar. Clemson University Cooperative Extension. 531-533). Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. V. rotundifolia is highly tolerant of the harsh beach dune environment characterized by intense heat, high wind, coarse-textured soil, and elevated salinity. Beach vitex is fast-growing and drought- and salt-tolerant. GRIN-Global. However, by the mid-1990s, dune restoration specialists with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began to notice beach vitex spreading from original plantings on South Carolina beaches (Figure 1), crowding out native dune plants, and spreading by seeds and vegetative fragments. [Accessed Sep 10, 2014]. Beach vitex (Vitex rotundifolia): an invasive coastal species (PDF | 248 KB). Habitat. GARY B. JACKSON, Director. These treatments may also damage other broadleaf or grass plants, including some threatened dune species, so it is important to make careful and selective applications. Common Name: BEACH VITEX. Globally, it is present in both tropical (where it is evergreen) and temperate (deciduous) climatic regions. 2010) 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. Its natural habitat is a sandy beach where it works as a natural prevention against soil erosion. Digging or pulling plants manually can be used in areas where herbicide use is not desired. James (Ed. Beach vitex is highly salt and drought-tolerant (GRI, 2006) and grows best in full sun and sandy or well-drained soils (SCNPS, undated). Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Currently, beach vitex blankets a number of oceanfront dunes in … Beach Vitex (BV) (Vitex rotundifolia-L. f.) has become a major invasive plant in the fragile beach ecosystems of the Carolinas. Large-scale monocultures of beach vitex … Beach vitex is still sold and used as an ornamental, which is another means of dispersal. Beach Vitex grows so aggressively that during the 60 day incubation time many turtle nests are overgrown, entrapping the hatchlings. All rights reserved. Leaves are simple, rounded, and gray-green with dense, grayish-white hairs on the lower surface. Seeds and cuttings that have been chipped up and spread as mulch have also started new populations where dispersed. YouTube; North Carolina Sea Grant. The stolons will develop secondary roots, which can form smaller deep root systems, and the entire maze of vines grows very … Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Severely alters native habitat by dominating primary dune areas with dense, sprawling, perennial, woody cover (Beach Vitex Task Force, 2013). All rights reserved. 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. Large-scale monocultures of beach vitex … Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States - Beach vitex, History of beach vitex cultivation: a potential invasive ornamental (PDF | 2.34 MB). History of beach vitex cultivation: a potential invasive ornamental (PDF | 2.34 MB). The section below contains highly relevant resources for this species, organized by source. Those commonly cultivated include lilac chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus L.), negundo chastetree (Vitex negundo L.), beach vitex, and simpleleaf chastetree (Vitex trifolia L.). The Folly Beach website discusses several threats to nesting turtles, including beach nourishment, construction, and beach vitex. Beach vitex is in the mint family. Beach vitex (Vitex rotundifolia), is a deciduous woody vine from the Pacific Rim, that was introduced to the Southeastern U.S. in the mid-1980's for beach stabilization. Single plants or scattered populations of beach vitex plants should be mechanically removed from an infested site and properly disposed of to avoid unintentional spread of the plant. The Mississippi State University Extension Service is working to ensure all web content is accessible to all users. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839. Price: $1.80. Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Before its introduction to the southern Atlantic Coast of the U.S., beach vitex had no history of invasiveness. Most beach vitex stems can be cut with lopping shears; however, the larger stems may require a limbing saw. This site is also protected by an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate that’s been signed by the U.S. government. 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. Beach vitex is a salt-tolerant, perennial, invasive shrub that has naturalized in coastal areas of the southeastern United States. Beach vitex: South Carolina’s newest menace. 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. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 15 November 2007). Seeds float and can be carried in longshore currents and waves to other beaches. Google. 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 … Beach Vitex is an invasive plant that spreads rapidly and poses a threat to native plants and animals. The South Carolina Beach Vitex Task Force has documented beach vitex at more than 115 locations along the South Carolina coast. No physical control methods are widely used in the United States. 2. Beach vitex (Vitex rotundifolia), a deciduous, woody vine from the Pacific Rim now invading the South Carolina coastlines, is also damaging turtle nesting sites. 2007. It has since Vitex rotundifolia, the roundleaf chastetree [1] or beach vitex is a species of Vitex that is native to seashores throughout the Pacific. South Carolina Beach Vitex Task Force. 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.). YouTube - Beach Vitex: Kudzu of the Coast? National Genetic Resources Program. Brittle stems can break off during high tides, float away, root, and colonize other beaches. Fruit are round, ¼-inch wide, and purplish-black when ripe. Code Ann. Prior to its intoduction to … Growing low and spreading along the ground allows its roots to … Thickets can reach 15-60 cm high. 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 (Vitex rotundifolia L.f.) is a deciduous woody vine that was introduced to the Southeastern U.S. from Korea in the mid-1980s. As an obligate seashore shrub, beach vitex grows along rocky and sandy shorelines and coastal areas up to fifty feet above sea level. Beach vitex is scientifically known as Vitex rotundifolia.The scientific name is Latin meaning round leaf. A species profile for Beach Vitex. Plants should be removed before fruit ripening to avoid seed dispersal. 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. 2010. 3. V. rotundifolia grows along sandy and rocky coasts from 0 to 15 m above sea level. 2007. Description: Vitex rotundifolia (beach vitex) is a species of Vitex that is native to seashores throughout the Pacific. Code Ann. Beach vitex covers a secondary dune on the Isle of Palms near Charleston, SC. 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. Assessments are now being conducted to determine if the plant should be regulated by federal or state plant regulatory agencies. ARS. Beach vitex, having a taproot system, are not as effective. Print This Page Beach Vitex Beach Vitex - a Pretty but Invasive Plant 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 southeastern U.S. in the mid-1980s as an ornamental landscape plant as well as for sand dune stabilization.Along the gulf coast, beach vitex … National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490. http://northinlet.sc.edu/resource/vitex.htm#Vitex%20Intro. This research focused on controlling beach vitex with foliar or cut stem applications of herbicides. Or, to display all related content view all resources for Beach Vitex. Thus, displacing sea oats could impact beach mice. Product Description. Flowers are blue-purple, fragrant, 1 inch wide, and arranged in short inflorescences out of the leaf axils (Figure 3). 2010). With all foliar treatments, a nonionic surfactant should be added to the spray solution at 1–2 quarts per 100 gallons spray solution. Legal | Ethics Line | Policy about commercial endorsements | DAFVM | USDA | eXtension | Legislative Update: Miss. The website also provides access to a database and images of plants photos and herbarium specimens found at participating herbaria. Beach vitex in Point Clear, AL, showing its leaves and flowers. Habitat Currently, beach vitex blankets a number of oceanfront dunes in the Carolinas … Provides state, county, point and GIS data. This Beach Vitex (Vitex rotundifolia) is a case in point. Efforts are now underway to map and monitor its spread. Since that time, the effort to control Beach vitex has expanded to include North Carolina, and more recently, … 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. Beach vitex is a salt-tolerant, perennial, invasive shrub that has naturalized in coastal areas of the southeastern United States. A few vitex species are cultivated as woody ornamentals or for beach stabilization. Revised by John D. Byrd Jr., PhD, Extension/Research Professor, and Victor Maddox, PhD, Senior Research Associate, Plant and Soil Sciences. Fig. The stems are hairy at … 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. 2005. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Compliance and Integrity, 56 Morgan Avenue, P.O. . Originally written by Maddox; Randy Westbrooks, PhD, former Invasive Species Specialist, U.S. Geological Survey; Byrd; and Betsy Brabson, South Carolina Beach Vitex Task Force, Georgetown, SC. Since its introduction in the 1980s, this PacificRim native has invaded many fragilebeach-dune ecosystems along the Mid-Atlantic, Southern Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico. There are approximately 250 species of vitex ranging from temperate to tropical habitats. This refers to the round shape of the leaves. National Invasive Species Information Center, Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS) - Beach Vitex. In the Midsouth, beach vitex has escaped in Alabama, and mapping efforts are underway to determine if it exists in other Midsouth states. Currently, beach vitex blankets a number of oceanfront dunes in the Carolinas (Figures 1 and 2). 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). Beach vitex is still sold and used as an ornamental, which is another means of dispersal. It also occurs along the North Carolina coast and was recently observed on a beach in Alabama. Because stems can propagate through fragmentation, be careful to remove all stems and root fragments. ), and seaside panicum (Panicum hemitomon Schult.). Fig. Copyright 2019 by Mississippi State University. 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. It is also known as monks pepper, single leaf chaste tree, chasteberry, and round-leaved chaste tree. 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 is a vine that grows along the surface of sandy areas, like dunes. 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