What is yupon?

Yupon (Ilex vomitoria) is a small tree or shrub native to the southeastern United States, particularly in coastal regions from Maryland to Florida and west to Texas. It is a member of the holly family and is evergreen, producing small, white flowers in the spring and red berries in the fall.

Yupon has a long history of traditional use by Native American tribes, who would make a tea from the leaves and use it in sacred ceremonies. The name "vomitoria" comes from the fact that the tea was believed to induce vomiting as part of a cleansing ritual.

Today, yupon is still used to make tea, which has a mildly stimulating effect due to the presence of caffeine. It is also occasionally used in herbal remedies for its potential health benefits, such as its high antioxidant content.

Yupon has become more popular in recent years as a source of caffeine for energy drinks and other products. It is also sometimes used as a landscaping plant, as it is drought-tolerant and can be easily pruned into hedges or topiaries.