Tarajo holly, Tara-yo, Holly tea
Ilex latifolia
Family: Aquifoliaceae
What it is like
A tree which keeps its leaves throughout the year. It grows 20 m high. The bark is grey and develops long cracks with age. The leaves are oblong. They are 20 cm long by 7.5 cm wide. They are thick and have coarse teeth. They are glossy and dark green above. They are yellow green underneath. They are on stout shoots. The male and female flowers occur in separate plants. The male and female flowers are both small and yellow-green. They are in clusters in the axils of leaves and have a smell. The fruit is orange-red and 8 mm across. These berries occur in clusters.
There are about 400 Ilex species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in warm regions in China and Japan. In China it grows between 200-1,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 7-9.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, China, Japan
How it is used for food
The leaves are used as a tea substitute. The seeds are used for coffee.
It is a cultivated food plant.
Edible parts
Leaves - tea