Common Name:

General Information

Ilex theezans is usually a small, evergreen tree with a globose crown; it can grow from 12 - 18 metres tall, though occasionally it is smaller and more shrub-like[]. The smooth bole can be 30 - 50cm in diameter[].
The leaves are sometimes gathered from the wild for local medicinal use. They are also sometimes used as a substitute for Yerba mate (Iles paraguariensis), but are considered to be inferior and are not liked by the buying public[]. The wood is also sometimes used locally. An ornamental tree, it can be used in urban plantings[].

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 - Argentina, Paraguay, southern and eastern Brazil.

Habitat

Open formations at the edges of forests; Araucaria forests; coastal plains where it can become abundant in the arboreal vegetation near the coast[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of subtropical to tropical areas, often at lower elevations in the subtropics but ascending to higher elevations in the tropics.
Succeeds in a sunny position or dappled shade[]. Succeeds in most soil conditions[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

The leaves are used as a substitute for, or mixed with, Yerba Mate tea[, ]. They give a more bitter flavour, used by those who like it without sugar[].

Medicinal

The leaves are diuretic, stimulant and stomachic[].
As with the related Ilex paraguariensis (Yerba Mate), regular consumption of a tea made from the leaves of this species has been shown to have a range of beneficial regulatory effects upon the body, particularly by acting as an antioxidant and by regulating blood-lipid levels, thus lowering high cholesterol levels and improving circulation to the heart.

Other Uses

The fine to medium-textured wood is moderately heavy, soft and easy to work with but with poor mechanical properties and low durability[]. It is quite ornamental and is used for making laminates for furniture; pianos; general utensils etc[].

Propagation

Seed - usually slow to germinate because they have a hard seedcoat[]. They can be stratified in damp soil, which will speed up the ingress of moisture and reduce germination time. Sow the seeds in light shade in a nursery seedbed. Germination rates are moderate[]. Pot the seedlings up into individual containers when they are 4 - 6cm tall[].

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