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yerba
Scientific Name: Croton ovalifolius
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Shrub, Subshrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Yerba Mate: A South American Brew
Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a traditional South American beverage made from the dried leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis tree, a species of holly. It is known by several names, including erva-mate in Portuguese.
Considerations for Pets
- The text mentions that yerba mate is made from the leaves and twigs of the plant, which are typically dried.
Considerations for Children
- The text mentions that yerba mate is traditionally sipped from a "mate gourd" with a straw, implying that it can be prepared and consumed in a way that might interest children.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil.
- Family: Aquifoliaceae (Holly family)
- Named by French botanist Auguste François César Prouvenal de Saint-Hilaire.
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to southern South America, particularly the subtropical regions.
- Grows in the rainforests of South America.
Uses and Cultural Significance
- For centuries, the Ach Guayak tribe in South America has consumed yerba mate for its rejuvenative effects.
- The leaves and twigs are dried (often over a fire) and steeped in hot water to create an herbal tea.
- Widely consumed in South America, especially in Argentina and Paraguay, where it's considered a national drink.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Yerba mate is made from the leaves of Ilex paraguariensis, a tree that only grows in the subtropical region of South America.
Quirky Facts
- Yerba mate is traditionally drunk from a "mate gourd" (gd) using a special straw called a "bombilla."
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Guayaki Yerba Mate is "shade grown for potency", which suggests an interaction with other plants that provide shade.
Additional Resources
- WebMD provides patient medical information about yerba mate.