Home PagePicture ArchivesFlora of QatarAmaranthaceaeDysphania ambrosioides

Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants

Synonyms

Chenopodium ambrosioides, Chenopodium integrifolium, Chenopodium opulifolium, Chenopodium suffruticosum, Teloxys ambrosioides

Common names

Epazote, Jesuits tea, Mexican tea, Paico, wormseed

My notes

Mostly grows in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms, but in one instance it was found on roadside of Salwa Highway.

Extract from Wikipedia article

Epazote, wormseed, Jesuit's tea, Mexican tea, Paico or Herba Sancti MariƦ (Dysphania ambrosioides, formerly Chenopodium ambrosioides) is an herb native to Central America, South America, and southern Mexico.

AI-generated Description

Dysphania ambrosioides, also known as Mexican tea or wormseed, is an annual herb native to Central and South America. It has been naturalized in many parts of the world, including the Middle East. In Qatar, Dysphania ambrosioides has been reported as a common weed in urban areas, roadsides, and agricultural fields. It grows up to 1 meter tall, with oval-shaped leaves and small, greenish-yellow flowers. The plant is known for its strong, unpleasant odor and has been used in traditional medicine for its anthelmintic properties. In Qatar, it has been found to thrive in areas with disturbed soil and high nutrient availability, and can outcompete native vegetation.

Epazote (wormseed, Dysphania ambrosioides) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya Farms. South-western Qatar, March 29, 2014
LinkEpazote (wormseed, Dysphania ambrosioides) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya Farms. South-western Qatar, March 29, 2014
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Wormseed (Dysphania ambrosioides, Chenopodium ambrosioides)(?) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014
LinkWormseed (Dysphania ambrosioides, Chenopodium ambrosioides)(?) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, October 25, 2014
Location on mapsSalwa Road, Qatar
Wormseed (Dysphania ambrosioides, Chenopodium ambrosioides) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, November 15, 2014
LinkWormseed (Dysphania ambrosioides, Chenopodium ambrosioides) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, November 15, 2014
Location on mapsSalwa Road, Qatar
Some species of Chenopodium with small leaves (Dysphania ambrosioides)(?) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, November 15, 2014
LinkSome species of Chenopodium with small leaves (Dysphania ambrosioides)(?) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. South-western Qatar, November 15, 2014
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Branch of Wormseed (Dysphania ambrosioides, Chenopodium ambrosioides) with seeds taken from Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya Farms. Qatar, January 16, 2015
LinkBranch of Wormseed (Dysphania ambrosioides, Chenopodium ambrosioides) with seeds taken from Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya Farms. Qatar, January 16, 2015
Young plants of wormseed (Dysphania ambrosioides, Chenopodium ambrosioides) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, February 20, 2015
LinkYoung plants of wormseed (Dysphania ambrosioides, Chenopodium ambrosioides) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, February 20, 2015
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Leaves of wormseed (Dysphania ambrosioides, Chenopodium ambrosioides) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, February 20, 2015
LinkLeaves of wormseed (Dysphania ambrosioides, Chenopodium ambrosioides) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, February 20, 2015
Location on mapsSalwa Road, Qatar
Flowers of wormseed (Dysphania ambrosioides, Chenopodium ambrosioides) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, February 20, 2015
LinkFlowers of wormseed (Dysphania ambrosioides, Chenopodium ambrosioides) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, February 20, 2015
Location on mapsUnnamed Road, Qatar
Epazote (wormseed, Dysphania ambrosioides, Chenopodium ambrosioides) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, March 14, 2015
LinkEpazote (wormseed, Dysphania ambrosioides, Chenopodium ambrosioides) on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms. Qatar, March 14, 2015
Location on mapsSalwa Road, Qatar
Wormseed (Dysphania ambrosioides, Chenopodium ambrosioides) in a roadside depression near Salwa Road. Qatar, April 22, 2016
LinkWormseed (Dysphania ambrosioides, Chenopodium ambrosioides) in a roadside depression near Salwa Road. Qatar, April 22, 2016
Location on mapsSalwa Rd, Qatar

AI-generated summary of observations

Dysphania ambrosioides was observed growing on Green Circles (center-pivot irrigation) in Irkhaya Farms in south-western Qatar on multiple occasions between March 2014 and March 2015. The plant was found to have small leaves and produce seeds, with young plants and flowers also spotted. It was identified as Epazote or wormseed, and was sometimes referred to as Chenopodium ambrosioides. The observations showed the plant's ability to thrive in irrigated areas, with sightings recorded in various months, including March, October, November, January, and February. Additionally, a single observation was made in a roadside depression near Salwa Road in April 2016, indicating the plant's presence beyond irrigated farms. The consistent sightings suggest that Dysphania ambrosioides is a common species in Qatar's agricultural areas.

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Acknowledgements

QNHG (Qatar Natural History Group) and associated people, for a possibility to participate in their field excursions and to learn about local nature.