Identification & Quality Standard
Viticis Fructus
Botanical Origin
The dried matured fruit of Vitex trifolia L. var. simplicifolia Cham., Vitex trifolia L.(Verbenaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Shandong.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is full, large, with potent aroma.
Macroscopic Features
Spherical, 4~6mm diameter. External surface is grayish-black or black-brown, covered with grayish-white frost-like fuzz, with 4 longitudinal shallow grooves, apex is slightly indented, base has grayish-white persistent calyx and short fruit stem. Calyx is 1/3~2/3 length of fruit, 5 teeth-like cracks, 2 of the cracks are relatively deep, densely covered with fuzz. Light, firm, not easily broken. Horizontal cut surface has 4 chambers, each has one seed. Distinctively aromatic odor, bland and slightly acrid taste.
