01.
A Bit of Botany
a little botanical information on stevia
description
Stevia is a member of the Asteraceae family.
Cultivated varieties of stevia can reach 3 feet in height, where as wild stevia will usually reach around 2 feet.
This spindly plant's root system has both fine roots that spread out along the soil surface and a thicker deeper root that burrows deep into the ground.
The plant's many-branched stems that grow from these roots are hairy, and wand-like. Its fibrous, dark green leaves are
opposite and toothed and prolific. Despite not being an aromatic plant, when its leaves are picked and placed on the tongue they are sweet to
the taste. Dried stevia leaves are even sweeter than their fresh counterparts.
Stevia's white flowers are tubular and
bisexual.
common names & nomenclature
The genus Stevia was named for Petrus Jacobus Stevus, a Spanish botanist and physician.
Also known as:
sweetleaf, stevia leaf, stevia, sweet leaf, sugarleaf