Sweet broom, Macao tea
Scoparia dulcis

Family: Plantaginaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 1 m tall. The stems are square. The leaves are simple and have 3 in a ring. They are 1-4 cm long and up to 2 cm wide. They surfaces are like sandpaper. The flowers occur in a cluster of 1 or 2 flowers. The flowers are 6 mm across. There are 4 white or pink petals. The fruit is a brown capsule. It is 2-4 mm long and has 2-4 valves. The seeds are brown.

There are 20 Scoparia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in rainforest and swamp forest. It suits humid locations. It grows in wetlands. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 950 m altitude. It is best in full sun. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America (country/location of origin), China, Christmas Island, Congo DR, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Fiji, Gabon, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indochina, Jamaica, Laos, Lesser Antilles (country/location of origin), Mali, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, South America (country/location of origin), Sri Lanka, St Lucia, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The leaves are used to sweeten well water. They are also used for tea. The young shoots are eaten raw and also cooked as a vegetable. They are fried. The young leaves can be stored for 3-4 days.

It is sold in local markets in China.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea, shoots, seeds - drink, leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

It can be grown from seeds. The seeds are broadcast or scattered.

Leaves are available year round.

Its other names

Local names

Babo castah, Baly dou, Ban dhania, Basourinha, Belbelguel, Bondhone, Bruturut, Cam thao nam, Dana-thuka, Di fu zi, Efunicainei, Funduisi, Kanchhi-madhu,Kra-tai-cham, Krot-nam, Kyese kyese, Misti pata, M'tcinke, Modhu mehari, Monebedoque, N'tchinike, Nucnopichana, Pakkrodum, Pamiquie-chi, Pampa, Pichana, Sabacasan, Sakkarai vembu, Scoparia, Serer, Tagalo chachachachan, Teatina, Tepeti, Thagya-bin, Timim-timim, Timintimes, Timintindjambo, Timitimini, Tuljyor-muk, Tupin remedyu, Verbena, Wawa pichana, Yahaibu

Synonyms

Scoparia dulcis var. typica Domin;