Tag: Holly family

Despite its attractive appearance, all parts of the winterberry plant (*Ilex verticillata*), especially the berries, are toxic to humans and pets. Historically, certain preparations of the winterberry plant were used in traditional medicine by Native Americans, which shed light on its complex medicinal properties.

Native to the subtropical forests of Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil, yerba mate is derived from the leaves and stems of the *Ilex paraguariensis* tree. Unlike common tea, this caffeinated beverage comes from a type of holly, a fact that surprises many first-time drinkers.