This mural began as the imagery for Co-Heart 8 of Singing Tree Facilitators who are in Florida, Illinois, California, Texas and Zambia.  It was also created in conjunction with the anniversary of the UN’s International Day of Peace Symposium being put on at the University of Texas at El Paso on Sept. 21st, 2024.

Vitex agnus-castus tree shrub is said to be Native to the Mediterranean region and Western Asia. The word vitex may derive from the Latin word “vieo” translating to weave. In various regions this weaving shrub may also go by the names of ”Lilac Chasteberry tree” or “Abraham’s balm.” Texas institutions may consider the Vitex tree shrub as a Texas Superstar Plant, growing deciduously, thriving through summer heat, sporadic rains, and freeze.

The “Chaste tree” may have been migrated by settlers to the Northern American continent, possibly being since 1670. Due to extensive gardening, hardy growth, and widespread of seed production that colonizes near land; Vitex may be consider as an invasive plant, especially to Native people of the land. The Vitex tree  may be seen in many places and spaces, influencing the earth. There is now an estimated existence of 250 international species of this shrub.

Vitex may be utilized through specific consumption to promote human’s health; hormonal, reproductive, mental, and in the endocrine system. After blooming, some may cultivate its forms of medicine through tincturing and extraction. Vitex fruit and seed contain chemicals that seem to affect the human reproductive systems and mitochondrial membrane potential. The Apigenin flavonoid is the highly active phytoestrogen in Vitex, binding to the estrogen receptor then mimicking and modulating endogenous estrogens. Vitex seems to show potential for effective medical consumption and even weaving crafts.