Monk’s Pepper – Wicker

 

Vitex agnus-castus

Wicker is an aromatic plant found in wetlands, and banks of streams at low altitude.  It thrives all over the Mediterranean.  It owes its name to its flexible branches.

Ulysses used its strong and flexible branches to tie his companions under the belly of sheep and in this manner take them away from the cave of Cyclops Polyphemus .  It is called cactus, virgin, as during Thesmophoria the women used its branches as a bed to protect their virginity thus it is deemed to deter desire and sexual thoughts. During the Middle Ages  monks used its seeds to appease their sexual desire.