Ilex paraguariensis

Yerba de maté or Paraguay tea

Family Aquifoliaceae

Ilex paraguariensis, yerba de maté or Paraguay tea (I. paraguariensis 1), is a small tree or shrub with ovate leaves, 10-12 cm long, native to South America.

Use
The leaves are picked and dried, and used with hot water to make a tea-like drink, which contains a small amount of caffeine and is mildly stimulating. It is usually drunk with sugar and lemon. Maté is mainly produced in Paraguay and Brazil and is popular in many South American countries. It is known since times immemorial. The Spanish Jesuits reported its presence in the Amazon region in 1578.