Scoparia dulcis aka Scoparia Weed

Scoparia dulcis is in the plantain family, Plantaginaceae. People call it sweet broom, goatweed, and licorice weed. It comes from tropical and subtropical parts of the Americas. It now grows in warm parts of the world. It grows as an annual, but some plants live longer. Sources also call it a perennial or small subshrub.

The plant grows upright, with many branches. Reports give heights of 1–3.3 feet [0.3–1 metre]. In Florida, plants reach 1–2.5 feet [0.3–0.76 metres]. The lower stems can turn woody as they age. Most stems feel smooth. Some have fine, soft hairs. Young plants have light green leaves with toothed edges. Leaves grow in pairs on opposite sides of the stem. They also form whorls, or rings, of three or more. Older leaves grow narrow and may lose their teeth. These leaves give older plants a thin, open look. Leaves and stems have glands. These give off a bad smell when crushed.

Small white flowers grow where leaves join the stems. Each flower is about 0.12–0.2 inches [3–5 millimetres] long. Yellow to brown capsules hold very small seeds. Plants can bloom and set fruit all year. They make many seeds, which help them spread. Wildlife and mowing tools can carry seeds to new sites.

Sweet broom grows in tropical and subtropical lowlands. It grows in wet thickets and by sandy stream beds. It also grows near homes and on disturbed or farmed land. It grows in most soils, with a range of rainfall. This includes rain all year and long dry seasons. Seeds need light and high heat to sprout. Fewer seeds sprout in drought or acid soils. It has become a problem weed in Florida pastures and citrus groves. Dense stands can grow where too many animals graze. Mowing time after time fails to control it. Woody plants resist control, too. It may also host the organism linked to coconut yellows disease.

People grow sweet broom to hold sand dunes in place. They use its branched stems as floor brooms, which soon wear out. People in many warm regions gather it for traditional medicine. They use it for gut trouble, coughs, fever, and skin problems. Such uses do not prove that treatment is safe or works. Seeds soaked overnight make a drink said to be cooling. Some people put branches in drinking water for the same purpose. Useful Tropical Plants lists no known hazards. This does not prove safety for people or pets.