Accession Data

Ilex paraguariensis

Common Name: Yerba Mate

Family: Aquifoliaceae

Country of Origin: Paraguay and adjacent Argentina / Brazil

Description: Shrub of South America especially N. Argentina, Basin of the Parana, Uruguay, and Paraguay to S. Matto Grosso (Brazil). An infusion of the dried leaves yields the tea 'Mate' which is an important beverage in South America. This species was used as a beverage by the Guarani Indians long before the Spanish conquest. Derived from wild and cultivated plants. The leaves contain up to 1 percent caffeine.

Uses: Medicinally: Used to lower lipid metabolism, may also help prevent cardiovascular disease. Some data suggests Yerba Mate may help combat obesity, though more studies are needed.

Accession Data

Accession #: 199900578

Accession Date: 1999-10-01 00:00:00

Bloom Status: 🪴 Not Flowering

Location: 2116

Quantity: 2

Source: John Maugeri

Classification

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Subclass: euasterid II

Order: Aquifoliales

Family: Aquifoliaceae

Flowering Data:

This accession has been observed in bloom on:
Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004

References

  1. EEB greenhouse tour guide prepared by Richard Piacentini, no date given, original source material from Uphof, 1968 & Schery, 1972
  2. The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Last accessed on Friday, March 25, 2016.

Images

Ilex paraguariensis
Ilex paraguariensis