By Sarah Fiorello

Dysphania ambrosioides

Native to Central America

Indigenous people taught enslaved Africans to make remedies with the leaves and seeds for expelling intestinal worms. It was sometimes mixed with sorghum syrup to make it taste better.

Photo: Pam Shade


Explore More

Fish Pepper

Capsicum annuum ‘Fish Pepper’

African Bird’s-eye pepper

Capsicum frutescens ‘African Bird’s Eye’

Watermelon

Citrullus lanatus