ILEX PARAGUARIENSIS
FAMILY :: AQUIFOLIACEAE
MATE, PARAGUAYAN TEA, YERBA MATE: Mate is one of the most popular stimulating beverages in South America. Contains caffeine (up to 2%) and theobromine and is somewhat stronger than coffee or tea. Mate is a tonic, nervine, diuretic and stimulant.
A holly, this plant is often kept trimmed to shrub size and can be grown in a tub in northern climates and either in tubs or in the ground in subtropical or tropical situations. It survives temperatures down to about 25° f.
[youtube DZloolw_f3E&rel=1 :: Traditional Cocido Mate Preparation]
Give young plants some shade. Likes humidity and heat. Needs well-drained acid soil. It is evergreen and dioecious. Currently, we have only female plants. Female plants tend to be milder in flavor, and slightly lower in caffeine than the male.
MORE INFORMATION:
http://noborders.net/mate/index.html