Definition
noun, plural: youpons
(botany) An evergreen shrub of the Holly family native to southeastern North America, which has a smooth elliptical leaves, white flowers, and lustrous red or yellow berries.
Supplement
Scientific classification:
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Aquifoliales
Family: Aquifoliaceae
Genus: Ilex
Species: I. vomitoria
Binomial name: Ilex vomitoria
Aiton
The dried leaves are formerly used by native Americans in making a black drink or asi for male-only purification and unity rituals.
Word origin: From the Catawba word yąpą, from yą (wood, tree) + pą (leaf).
Also known as: Yaupon Holly, Cassina, Ilex vomitoria, Ilex cassine.
Also spelled as: Yaupon
Dictionary > Youpon
