Aeollanthus suaveolens

Aeollanthus suaveolens is a small herb in the Lamiaceae family. The RHS gives its common name as macassá. It is native to tropical and southern parts of Africa. Useful Tropical Plants puts its range from Nigeria east to Sudan and Kenya. It also grows as far south as South Africa. Kew links it to a tropical climate with dry spells in some seasons. The plant grows both wild and under human care.

Useful Tropical Plants calls it a succulent, a fleshy herb. That source says it lives for one year. Kew says it can live for one year or more. The sources thus differ on whether it lives beyond one year. Its reported height is about 0.7–1.6 feet [0.2–0.5 metres]. No source gives a size range just for garden plants. The records give no width or facts about its branches. They do not describe its leaf shape or stems. Nor do they describe its flowers or fruit.

The leaves have a strong scent and add flavour to food. Growers in northern Nigeria raise the plant for this use. Cooks add the herb to soups for its scent. Useful Tropical Plants rates its food use at two out of five. The record does not say how much to use. Nor does it give full steps to prepare it. The account supports its use for flavour, not as a main food. It lists no known hazards. But it gives no clear proof that pets are safe around it.

People also grow this herb for medicine in Brazil. Uses there aim to treat skin, ear and eye ills. People in tropical Africa use it as medicine too. These records show uses, not proof that the treatments work. People in tropical Africa also use the plant in place of soap. Its essential oil may have a use in perfume. The source gives this as a possible use, not an established product.

The account lists seed as the sole way to grow new plants. Useful Tropical Plants gives no more facts on how to grow it. It does not describe the place where it grows. The evidence gives no tested needs for light, soil or water. Nor does it give cold limits or a bloom season. Its climate's dry spells alone cannot show what garden care it needs. No source here names pests or diseases. The recorded reasons to grow it centre on food flavouring and traditional medicine.