Click on any image to open the slideshow
Dysphania ambrosioides (L.)Mosyakin & Clemants
Mexican Tea
Wormseed Goosefoot
Espazote
Synonym(s): Chenopodium ambrosioides
Not native to Florida
This native of tropical America can now be found in disturbed sites throughout most of Florida. It is now introduced in nearly all of the lower 48 states except for Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming. Also introduced in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.
Flowers are tiny in spike-like clusters. There are five green sepals, but no petals. The five stamens have thick white anthers that present the appearance of petals. Stems are grooved, mostly erect, often branched to about a meter tall (~ 3') can be up to 1.5m (5'). Leaves are alternate, petioled, lanceolate to lance-elliptic, toothed and dotted with minute glands on the lower surface. The plant has a pungent odor.
This plant is the source the culinary ingredient espazote which is often used in bean dishes for added flavor and its anti-flatulent properties. However, children and pregnant women should avoid consuming espazote, especially the seeds and other parts of the plant other than the leaves.
Dysphania ambrosioides is a member of the Amaranthaceae - Amaranth family.
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
iNaturalist profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Jun 12, 2026
