Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni
- Common Name: Sweetleaf
- Family: Asteraceae Giseke
- Synonym(s): Eupatorium rebaudianum
- Country of Origin: Brazil, northeastern Paraguay
- Habitat: Marsh edges, on acidic sandy or muddy soils
- Description: Stevia has an alternate leaf arrangement and herbaceous to semi-woody growth habit with flowers arranged in indeterminate heads. The flowers are small and white with a pale purple throat. The pollen can be highly allergenic. Stevia is self-incompatible and probably insect pollinated, the seeds are small, have very little endosperm and are dispersed in the wind via a hairy pappus.
- Uses: This tropical herb was discovered in Paraguay where it has been used for centuries as a natural sweetener for yerba mate tea. Stevia is a healthy alternative to sugar or artificial sugar substitutes. This all-natural sweetener has zero calories, zero carbohydrates and a zero glycemic index. 5
Properties/Actions: antibacterial, anticandidal, antifungal, antiviral, cardiotonic, diuretic, hypoglycemic, vasodilator.
Accession Data:
Classification:
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- SubClass: euasterid II
- Order: Asterales
- SubOrder:
- Family: Asteraceae
- SubFamily: Asteroideae
- Tribe: Eupatorieae
- SubTribe: Piqueriinae
References (internal):
References (external):
- Stevia FAQ Website
- The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Last accessed on Sept. 15, 2024.
- The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs, Leslie Taylor, 2005.
- Image #00 (Cropped) & #01 (original) by Ethel Aardvark (Own work) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons. Last accessed on Sept. 15, 2024.
- Sweetleaf at Logees Greenhouse. Last accessed on Sept. 15, 2024.
data regenerated on Thu, 07 Nov 2024 15:00:21 -0500 [bcm v4.0]