Beach Vitex

Folly Beach is home to an invasive species.

We're talking PLANTS here.

And it's serious.

Vitex rotundifolia (round-leafed), also known as "beach vitex," is fast-gaining a reputation as "the kudzu of the coast" because of its aggressiveness and indestructibility.

It was first brought to the attention of dune habitat conservationists by Betsy Brabson who noticed it growing along sections of Debordieu beach where she participates in sea turtle nest monitoring.

Through Betsy's efforts, beach vitex, sometimes recommended for landscape erosion control, was identified as a "bad idea" for beach stablization. It crowds out desirable native species like American beach grass, panic grass and sea oats, and densely spills over dunes, confounding sea turtles attemping to nest.

In addition to Debordieu, beach vitex has also been found on Pawley's Island, Garden City, Surfside, Litchfield, Isle of Palms, Deveaux Banks, Bird Key Stono, and Folly Beach (in the block before the Washout).

Again, thanks to Betsy's influence, the Beach Vitex Task Force has been formed and is working in partnership with other organizations such as the SC Exotic Pest Plant Council to inventory beach vitex locations and to plan removal efforts.

The following photos were provided by Betsy. They illustrate what a widespread and invasive threat Beach Vitex is to SC beaches.

Click on each image to enlarge
Beach vitex in bloom -- pretty, but ... destructive on beaches and along waterways!
Beach vitex on Pawley's Island -- summer.
Beach vitex on Pawley's Island -- winter.
Beach vitex on eroded dune
Beach vitex growing onto beach
Turtle crawl near beach vitex
Beach vitex at Seascape on Isle of Palms
Beach vitex on Folly Beach