Chenopodium ambrosioides, Chenopodium integrifolium, Chenopodium opulifolium, Chenopodium suffruticosum, Teloxys ambrosioides
Epazote, Jesuits tea, Mexican tea, Paico, wormseed
Mostly grows in Irkhaya (Irkaya) Farms, but in one instance it was found on roadside of Salwa Highway.
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.
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.
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.
www.catalogueoflife.org
QNHG (Qatar Natural History Group) and associated people, for a possibility to participate in their field excursions and to learn about local nature.