Aloysia wrightii aka Wright's Aloysia

Aloysia wrightii is an evergreen shrub in the verbena family, Verbenaceae. Its common names include oreganillo, Sonoran beebrush, and Wright’s aloysia. Its native range spans the southwestern and south-central United States into northern Mexico. It grows in deserts and dry shrubland. Wild plants occur in canyons, washes, rocky slopes, and dry foothills.

In gardens, this shrub reaches about 10 feet [3 metres] tall. Its spread can also reach 10 feet [3 metres]. It grows at a medium rate. Allow room for that width when choosing a planting site. The leaves and flowers provide its main food use. Both have a fruity, lemon-like taste with an herbal note. The plant also has value for its scent.

Give it full sun for good growth and flowering. It does not grow in shade. Sandy, gravelly, or rocky ground suits it, provided water drains well. It also grows in loam and soil low in nutrients. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and alkaline soils, including very alkaline ground. Established plants withstand drought well. Deep watering now and then during drought can encourage flowers. Avoid ground that stays waterlogged. The source places it in USDA zones 8–10. It tolerates brief frosts, but prolonged frost can cause damage.

Flowers often follow monsoon rains in its native habitat. Bees and other insects pollinate them. The blooms supply nectar for bees and butterflies. This makes the shrub useful in gardens that support wildlife. It also suits xeriscapes, where plants must cope with dry conditions. Seed is a means of propagation. Brown seeds become available in late autumn. The supplied source does not flag the shrub as weedy.

Leaves and flowers can make tea or add flavour to food. They can season desserts, drinks, and fruit dishes. The tea has a green colour and a strong scent. Using too many leaves can make it bitter. Seeds are described as edible, but their resinous taste makes them poor food. Toasting does not make them pleasant, and boiling helps little. The source lists no known hazards or medicinal uses. It gives no specific pest or disease concerns. That lack of detail does not establish that the shrub has none.