Brazilian tea
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis

Family: Verbenaceae

What it is like

A herb which keeps growing from year to year. The branches curve upwards. It grows to 1.5 m high. The leaves are produced opposite one another on winged stalks. The leaves are oval and 4-10 cm long. They have forward facing teeth. The flowers occur as a spike at the end of the plant. The stalk is thickened and the flowers arise from depressions in it. The flower forms a tube towards its base and is purplish-blue. This stalk thickens more and the fruit are about 3.5 mm long in the depressions. They form 2 nutlets. The inner side of each one is flat.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows naturally along roadsides. It needs an average to fertile, well-drained soil. It can grow in full or part sun. In Papua New Guinea it is at low altitudes but may be up to 700 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Anguilla, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Caribbean, Central America, China, Chuuk, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, El Salvador, Fiji, FSM, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kiribati, Laos, Lesser Antilles (country/location of origin), Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Nauru, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, South America, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turks & Caicos, Tuvalu, USA, Venezuela, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The young stem tips are eaten as a flavouring. They are also eaten like spinach. Dried leaves are sold as Brazilian tea. CAUTION: It is claimed to cause miscarriages so should be avoided by pregnant women.

It is sold in local markets in China.

Edible parts

Leaves, leaves - tea, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. It can be planted as a hedge.

Leaves are usually collected during the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Aaron's rod, Bastard vervain, Blue porterweed, Blue snakeweed, Chirchiti, Devil's coachwhip, Edidubaiy, Gewongan, Jalajali, Jamaica false vervain, Jamaican Snake weed, Jarong, Kadu uttarani, Kandikandilaan, Kariyartharani, Katapunuthu, Kikwayakwaya, Light blue snakeweed, Marang chirchiti, Marang circiti, Medraquiloyilo, Naioringi, Ngadi-rangga, Pecut kuda, Rabo de gato, Rakimaa, Ratstail, Rumput tahi babi, Sakura, Selaseh dandi, Seta sitir kad, Simainaivirunji, Simainayuruvi, Te uti, Uttirani, Wan ling cao

Synonyms

Abena jamaicensis (L.) Hitchc.; Stachytarpheta indica C.B.Clarke in part, non Vahl.; Stachytarpheta subincisa Turcz.; Valerianoides jamaicensis L.; Verbena jamaicensis L.; Zappania jamaicensis (L.) Lam.;