Dysphania ambrosioides. Epazote, wormseed, Jesuit’s tea, Mexican tea, Paico or Herba Sancti Mariæ (Dysphania ambrosioides, formerly Chenopodium ambrosioides) is an herb native to Central America, South America, and southern Mexico. It is an annual or short-lived perennial plant (herb), growing to 1.2 m (3.9 ft) tall, irregularly branched, with oblong-lanceolate leaves up to 12 cm (4.7 in) long. The flowers are small and green, produced in a branched panicle at the apex of the stem.
Details
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Dysphania (dis-FAY-nee-a) (Info)
Species: ambrosioides (am-bro-zhee-OH-id-eez) (Info)
Synonym:Chenopodium ambrosioides
Category:
Annuals
Herbs
Height:
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Danger:
Seed is poisonous if ingested
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color:
Pale Green
Bloom Time:
Mid Summer
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Other details:
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Soil pH requirements:
4.6 to 5.0 (highly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
over 9.1 (very alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
Seed Collecting:
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Wear gloves to protect hands when handling seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Read more: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/51558/#ixzz3GYVZqdj2
