Common Name:

General Information

Ilex affinis is an evergreen tree with a dense, elongate crown; it can grow 4 - 8 metres tall. The straight, more or less cylindrical bole can be 30 - 45cm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for its leaves, which can be used medicinally and to make a tea. It is also a source of wood for local use.
Ilex affinis has a wide distribution and there are no known specific threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2021)[].

Known Hazards

Although no specific reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, Ilex species in general contain several potentially toxic compounds, particularly saponins, glycosides and triterpenoids. These compounds also often have a range of potential health benefits[, , ].
The berries are usually the part of the plant most likely to be toxic, though the degree of toxicity is usually low. Their bitter flavour usually prevents a person eating more than one or two, but even a small handful of the fruit eaten by a healthy adult is unlikely to cause more than feelings of nausea that can lead on to vomiting and diarrhoea[].
The compounds in the leaves are particularly interesting. The leaves of many Ilex species around the world are commonly used to make health-promoting teas that, when drunk on a regular basis, help to regulate bodily functions and can reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood-cholesterol levels etc (See Ilex paraguariensis or Ilex kaushue for examples)[]. Even these teas, however, if taken in very concentrated doses, can act as a laxative or cause vomiting. Indeed, several species are used by traditional peoples to induce vomiting as a means of purifying the body (see Ilex guayusa or Ilex vomitoria for examples)

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northeast Argentina, Paraguay, central and eastern Brazil, Bolivia.

Habitat

Rainforest, mainly in dense primary formations, favouring well-drained, moderately fertile sandy to clayey soils[]. Marshy areas and rocky sandstone walls on the edge of the Paraná River in Argentina[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	6.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a position with moderate shade[]. Requires a well-drained soil, succeeding in sandy to clayey soils of medium fertility[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

The leaves are used to make a refreshing tea[]. They can be used as a substitute for Maté (Ilex paraguariensis) or as an adulterant for it[].

Medicinal

The leaves are laxative[].
An infusion of the leaves is said to be very nourishing for the body, good for the stomach and digestion and also diuretic. In large doses it can cause vomiting[]. {As Ilex medica)

Other Uses

The wood is fine-textured, straight-grained, moderately heavy, with moderate mechanical properties, not durable. It is only used locally, for purposes such as rural constructions, tool handles and simple furniture[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing. Sow the seed in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A low germination rate can usually be expected, with the seed sprouting within 90 - 150 days[]. When the seedlings are 5 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers[].

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