Family: Verbenaceae
Author: (L.) Vahl
Bibliography: Enum. Pl. Obs. 1: 206 (1804)
Year: 1804
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Stachytarpheta
Vegetable: False
Observations: SE. U.S.A. to Trop. America
Description
The Brazilian-tea, known scientifically as Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, is a captivating plant that belongs to the family Verbenaceae. This perennial herb or subshrub is widely recognized for its attractive appearance and medicinal properties. Found predominantly from the southeastern United States down to tropical America, Brazilian-tea thrives in warm climates and is commonly seen in gardens and along roadsides.
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis typically features slender, arching stems adorned with blue to purple spike-like flowers. These blooms, which can appear almost year-round in warmer regions, are not only visually appealing but also attract a variety of pollinators, including butterflies and bees. The lush, green foliage is characterized by its coarsely serrated leaves, which add to the plant’s ornamental value.
This plant is particularly noted for its historical and ethnobotanical significance. Traditionally, various cultures have utilized Brazilian-tea for its purported health benefits. It has been employed in folk medicine to treat a range of ailments, from digestive issues to respiratory conditions. The leaves and stems are often brewed into herbal teas, which are believed to possess anti-inflammatory and relaxing properties.
First enumerated in scientific literature by (L.) Vahl in 1804, as documented in “Enum. Pl. Obs. 1: 206,” Brazilian-tea has since cemented its place both in botanical studies and horticultural practices. Its easy cultivation and resilience make it a popular choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance yet striking plant.
In addition to its uses in traditional medicine, Brazilian-tea has also been explored in modern pharmacological research. Studies suggest that the plant contains several bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids and terpenes, which could potentially contribute to its therapeutic effects.
Cultivating Stachytarpheta jamaicensis is relatively straightforward. It prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate a range of sunlight conditions, from full sun to partial shade. Regular watering and occasional pruning can help maintain its shape and vigor. Gardeners should be aware, however, that in certain regions, Brazilian-tea can spread aggressively and may require management to prevent it from becoming invasive.
Whether admired for its decorative qualities, ecological benefits, or medicinal applications, the Brazilian-tea is undoubtedly a valuable and intriguing plant. Its presence across a broad geographical range highlights its adaptability and enduring appeal.
Common Names
Eng: brazilian-tea, indian snakeweed, jamaica-vervain, jamaican porterweed, jamaican snakeweed, light-blue snakeweed, bastard-vervain, blue porterweed, blue snakeweed, pale blue snakeweed, jamaica vervain, purple wormbush, purple worm bush, rerrer vine, shower bell, worry vine
Spa: verbena azul, verbena mansa
En: Brazilian-tea, Light-blue snakeweed, Pale blue snakeweed, Bastard-vervain, Jamaica-vervain, Jamaican porterweed, Jamaican snakeweed, Indian snakeweed, Blue porterweed, Blue snakeweed, Blueflower, Jamaica vervain, Peccot jhârân, Purple Wormbush, Purple Worm Bush, Rerrer Vine, Shower Bell, Worry Vine, Blue-vine, Brazilian tea, Burr-vine, Jamaican Blue Spike, Jamaican Bluespike, Wild verbena, Bastard vervain
Zh: 木馬鞭, 牙買加長穗木, 長穗木
Fr: Verveine bleue, Verveine, Verveine laquerot, Verveine queue de rat, Gros verveine, Verveine caraïbe, Epi bleu, Bleuette
Ht: Vèvenn karayib
Id: Pecut kuda
Jv: Pecut jaran
Ms: Pokok Pecut Kuda
Ml: ശീമക്കൊങ്ങിണി
Fa: شاهپسند برگگزنهای
Pt: Gervão azul
Es: Verbena azul, Verbena mansa, Alacrancillo, Chirrite, Rabo de Gato
Zh-tw: 牙買加長穗木
Th: พันงูเขียว
Synonyms
- Stachytarpheta pilosiuscula (Kunth)
- Vermicularia decurrens (Moench)
- Verbena americana (Mill.)
- Valerianoides jamaicensis ((L.) Medik.)
- Stachytarpheta jamaicensis f. monstrosa (Moldenke)
- Stachytarpheta bogoriensis (Zoll. & Moritzi)
- Stachytarpheta jamaicensis f. albiflora (S.S.Ying)
- Valerianoides jamaicensis f. strigosa (Kuntze)
- Verbena pilosiuscula ((Kunth) Endl.)
- Verbena jamaicensis (L.)
- Abena jamaicensis ((L.) Hitchc.)
- Stachytarpheta indica var. jamaicensis ((L.) Razi)
- Stachytarpheta jamaicensis f. atrocoerulea (Moldenke)
- Zappania jamaicensis ((L.) Lam.)
- Stachytarpheta jamaicensis var. longifolia (Hiern)
- Valerianoides jamaicensis var. spathulata (Kuntze)
- Cymburus urticifolius (Salisb.)
- Valerianoides jamaicensis var. angustifolia (Kuntze)
- Valerianoides jamaicensis f. glabra (Kuntze)
Distribution
- Bahamas (native)
- Belize (native)
- Bermuda (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- Florida (native)
- French Guiana (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Guyana (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Netherlands Antilles (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Southwest Caribbean (native)
- Suriname (native)
- Trinidad-Tobago (native)
- Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Venezuelan Antilles (native)
- Windward Is. (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Aldabra (introduced)
- Andaman Is. (introduced)
- Assam (introduced)
- Bangladesh (introduced)
- Borneo (introduced)
- Brazil Northeast (introduced)
- Cambodia (introduced)
- Caroline Is. (introduced)
- Central African Repu (introduced)
- Chagos Archipelago (introduced)
- Christmas I. (introduced)
- Cocos (Keeling) Is. (introduced)
- Comoros (introduced)
- Cook Is. (introduced)
- East Himalaya (introduced)
- Gilbert Is. (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Ivory Coast (introduced)
- Kazan-retto (introduced)
- Kenya (introduced)
- Laccadive Is. (introduced)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
- Madagascar (introduced)
- Malaya (introduced)
- Maldives (introduced)
- Marianas (introduced)
- Marshall Is. (introduced)
- Mozambique (introduced)
- Mozambique Channel I (introduced)
- Nansei-shoto (introduced)
- Nauru (introduced)
- Nicobar Is. (introduced)
- Ogasawara-shoto (introduced)
- Phoenix Is. (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- Samoa (introduced)
- Seychelles (introduced)
- South China Sea (introduced)
- Taiwan (introduced)
- Thailand (introduced)
- Tuamotu (introduced)
- Wake I. (introduced)
- Wallis-Futuna Is. (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Oct 2, 2022 by Philippine dursel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 19, 2019 by YudhaKN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 19, 2019 by Jarquin Gabriel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 11, 2017 by paula zapata (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 20, 2022 by Dulcinea Dulcinea (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Sep 13, 2019 by aristol jordi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 9, 2019 by Holman Anthony (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 1, 2019 by Vega Shary (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 1, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 29, 2020 by Cra Skip (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Mar 17, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 22, 2022 by Léa Méry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 9, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 22, 2020 by Luna Geffre (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 1, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jun 27, 2020 by Adam Peters (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Daniel H. Janzen (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken May 21, 2015 by EOL − navej (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 1, 1987 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)
Taken Aug 25, 2014 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Feb 18, 2017 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken Mar 4, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 14, 2019 by Rafaela (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 21, 2021 by Georgia C (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 14, 2019 by Prakash Rudraraju (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jul 25, 2020 by Coutinho Ivonete (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 17, 2019 by Deppe Nicole (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 31, 2021 by Christopher George (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2925463)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1092351-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (L.) Vahl)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb