Nashia inaguensis

Nashia inaguensis is an herb, commonly referred to as Moujean Tea, Bahamas Berry, or Pineapple Verbena. It is a loose/rangy shrub with many branches up to 7' high. The leaves are aromatic, simple, opposite (or fascicled), elliptic to obovate or spatulate, 5–10mm long; margins revolute. Heads are axillary, sessile, few-flowered. Calyx is strigose. Corollas are whitish, about 2mm long, 4-lobed. Stamens 4. Mature trunks of 3–4”. It is often used as a bonsai plant due to its miniaturized features.

It is native to the East Caribbean islands, in particular island of Inagua in the Bahamas, after which the species is named. In its native environment, the plant crawls along sunny, rocky outcroppings, semi-protected from steady high winds.

The fragrant foliage and tiny white flowers are highly attractive to pollinators, in particular the Atala butterfly. The flowers form in cluster and are followed by reddish orange flowers. It prefers full sun, warmth (a minimum temperature of 40F) and must be kept under high humidity. Even a brief spell of dryness can kill the plant. It can be propagated from cuttings, preferably in the spring and early summer during warm nights. A decoction of the fragrant leaves, variously described as having the scent and flavor of citrus, vanilla, or pineapple (some would even say that the flavor resembles that of Froot Loops cereal), is used as an herbal tea.