Yerba mate
species of plant / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the plant. For the drink, see Mate (drink).
Yerba mate, Ilex paraguariensis, is a species of holly (family Aquifoliaceae) native to subtropical South America. It grows in Argentina, southern Paraguay, western Uruguay and southern Brazil.[1]
Quick Facts Conservation status, Scientific classification ...
Yerba mate | |
---|---|
Ilex paraguariensis | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Division: | |
Class: | |
Order: | Aquifoliales |
Family: | Aquifoliaceae |
Genus: | Ilex |
Binomial name | |
Ilex paraguariensis | |
Close
The yerba mate plant is a shrub or small tree. It can grow up to 15 meters tall. The leaves are evergreen, 7–11 cm long and 3–5.5 cm wide. They have a serrated margin. The flowers are small, greenish-white, with four petals. The fruit is a red berry 4–6 mm diameter.[2]