Fleshy leaf mayten
Maytenus vitis-idaea

Family: Celastraceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 2-5 m tall. The trunk is 30 cm across. The leaves are 10-90 mm long by 6-70 mm wide. The fruit are red. They are 12-16 mm long by 5-7 mm wide. There are 1-3 seeds.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, South America (country/location of origin), Uruguay

How it is used for food

The ashes of the stems and leaves are added as a spice or plant salt to many foods.

Edible parts

Stems - ashes salt, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Carne gorda, Chaplan, Colquiyuyo, Hekketo, Indio-yuki, Ivira-yuqui, Mboreti-caa, Palta, Sal de indio, Sohowa, To, Yerba del tapir, Yuquira mayor

Synonyms

Maytenus lorentzii Briq.; Maytenus paraguariensis Briq.; Tricerma vitis-idaeum (Griseb.) Lundell;