Mexican Tea, Epazote


Scientific Name: Chenopodium ambrosioides L.
Family: Chenopodiaceae
Mexican Tea, Epazote(Chenopodium ambrosioides)
Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA NRCS. 1992. Western wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species.
Recommended Temperature Zone:
Sunset®: All zones as annual, 8,9,14-24 as perennial
USDA: 6-11

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Origin: Tropical Americas, naturalized in most of the USA, Asia, Europe, Africa

Growth Habits: Perennial, often grown as annual, generally about 16 inches tall (40 cm), up to 40 inches (1 m); strongly scented leaves, up 5 inches long (12 cm)

Watering Needs: Regular water

Propagation: Seeds

Mexican Tea, Epazote(Chenopodium ambrosioides)
Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 10. Courtesy of Kentucky Native Plant Society. Scanned by Omnitek Inc.

The seeds are toxic, they have been used as an anthelmintic (medicine for controlling internal parasites) for many years. The strongly scented leaves are used in Mexican cooking, it is believed to help reducing gas, when eaten with beans.
Chenopodium comes from the Greek for "goose foot".


 

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