Epazote
Epazote: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
Epazote, Dysphania ambrosioides, is an aromatic plant native to the tropical Americas. It belongs to the Amaranthaceae family and also appears in older works under the name Chenopodium ambrosioides. Mexican tea is another common name for the same plant. Its identity is centred on fragrant foliage and its role in Mexican cooking, rather than on promises of therapeutic benefits. Botanical names help distinguish it from unrelated plants that may share loosely used common names.The plant has an upright, branching habit. Its simple leaves are arranged alternately and are generally green, with variation according to the selection and stage of development. Leaf edges may be toothed, lobed or less deeply cut on the same plant. The stems and foliage carry small aromatic glands. Together these features produce a relatively informal outline, different from the neat, compact clumps of some other kitchen herbs. Height varies rather than following a single fixed size…
