Sea ambrosia
Ambrosia maritima

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb. It has a woody rootstock and can last a few years. It grows 1 m high. The stems have lines along them. The flowers are small and greenish-yellow.

Many plants in this genus cause hay fever and asthma.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in open spaces and near rivers.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Europe, France, Madagascar, Mediterranean, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Tanzania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uganda, West Africa

How it is used for food

The leaves are used to flavour soup.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Baaba, Manariandro, Matsermama

Synonyms

Ambrosia senegalensis DC.;