Catnip, Anise verbena
Lippia alba

Family: Verbenaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It is branched. It grows 1.5 m tall. The leaves are opposite or in threes. The leaves are 1-3 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. The flowers are white or pink. They are in spikes 2 cm long.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Andaman Is., Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America (country/location of origin), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Himalayas, Honduras, India, Jamaica (country/location of origin), Lesser Antilles (country/location of origin), Mexico (country/location of origin), Nicaragua, North America, Northeastern India, Panama,Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, South America, St Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The leaves are used as a vegetable. They have an anise flavour and are used in soups and with meat and fish. Thye are also used for chutney. The leaves are used for tea.

Edible parts

Leaves, leaves - tea, spice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Basula, Borma mosla lai, Bushy lippia, Bushy matgrass, Cha-de-zezinho, Cidreira-do-campo, Daru kaini ba, Guinea mint, Hierba negra, Licorice verbena, Lopong-brik, Naga-ateri, Nakalopong, Ontaibajab, Pampa oregano, Pitiona, Taw-tas, Thoilopong, Yantria

Synonyms

Camara alba (Mill.) Kuntze; Lantana alba Mill.; Lippia geminata H. B. & K.; Lippia havanensis Tucz.; Lippia lantanoides (L.) Coult,; Phyla alba;