Gambian tea bush
Lippia multiflora

Family: Verbenaceae

What it is like

A woody shrub. It is hairy. It grows 3 m high. It has stiff stems. The leaves are bluish-green. They are 10 cm long and 2.5 cm wide. They have teeth and are hairy underneath. The flowers are white or lilac with yellow centres and have a scent. They are in stalked heads.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in bush savannah in West Africa.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, West Africa

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked and eaten and also used for tea drinks and flavouring. They can be dried and stored.

It is a common tea drink in West Africa. It is popular. It is cultivated. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, leaves - tea, stem, flowers - tea, root ashes - salt, spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Aglala, Aklala se, Bulukutu, Kanhoun, Kinhoun kinhoun, Liyangalombo, Malukutu, Mbalat, Mbulunkutu, Nyenya, Saa-nunum, Tandela, Tchaga, Tchagara

Synonyms

Lippia adoensis Hochst. p.p.;