Aztec sweet-herb, Rough fogfruit
Lippia dulcis

Family: Verbenaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 6 m tall and spreads 2.5 m wide. The stem is erect. The bark is rough and the branches occur in pairs. The leaves are oval and in pairs. They taper to the tip. The flowers are small and yellow. They are in the axils of leaves.

It contains a very sweet compound called hernandulcin.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It does best in a rich, moist soil. It needs a protected sunny position. It is sensitive to drought and frost.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Hispaniola, Mexico (country/location of origin), Nicaragua, North America, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, South America, Tasmania, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

Lippia dulcis contains a sweetener 1,000 times sweeter than sucrose. The leaves can be eaten in salads or used as a condiment. They are chewed for their very sweet flavour. The used like mint. The licorice flavoured roots are also chewed. Caution:

Edible parts

Leaves, root

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Mexican lippia, Oro azul, Orosul, Orozuz, Sweet lippia

Synonyms

Lippia asperifolia Rchb.; Lippia dulcis Trevir.; Lippia dulcis var. mexicana Wehmer; Phyla dulcis (Trevir.) Moldenke; Phylla scaberrima (Juss. ex Pers.) Moldenke; Zappania scaberrima Juss. ex Pers.;