Comb hyptis
Hyptis pectinata

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A herb which keeps growing from year to year. It is 2 m high and stiffly erect. The stems are 4-angled. The leaves occur opposite one another on slender stalks. They have irregular teeth around the edge. The flower is a compound one at the end of the plant. The fruit is composed of 4 nutlets each about 1 mm long. They are smooth and black. Probably now Mesosphaerum

It grows naturally in pastures and is avoided by livestock. There are about 350-400 Hyptis species. Most are tropical or subtropical.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Fiji it grows from sea level to 200 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central America, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba (country/location of origin) Fiji, Dominican Republic, East Africa, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ghana, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guyana, Haiti (country/location of origin), India, Ivory Coast, Lesser Antilles (country/location of origin), Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, North America, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Puerto Rico, pan tropical, Rotuma, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Suriname, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uruguay, Virgin Islands, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin), Zambia

How it is used for food

The plants are used for the preparation of an alcoholic drink. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer. The leaves are used in sauces and for flavouring.

Often self sown but sometimes cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seed.

Its other names

Local names

Alhucema, Peaba, Piba

Synonyms

Mesosphaerum pectinatum (L.) Kuntze; Nepeta pectinata L.;