Angiosperms (Flowering Plants) • Earth.com

Yerba santa

(Piper auritum)

galery
en

Description

Piper auritum (Hoja santa) is an aromatic herb with a heart-shaped, velvety leaf which grows in tropic Mesoamerica. The name hoja santa means "sacred leaf" in Spanish. It is also known as yerba santa, hierba santa, Mexican pepperleaf, acuyo, tlanepa, anisillo, root beer plant, Vera Cruz pepper and sacred pepper. The leaves can reach up to 30 centimeters (12 in) or more in size. The complex flavor of hoja santa is not so easily described; it has been compared to eucalyptus, licorice, sassafras, anise, nutmeg, mint, tarragon,and black pepper. The flavor is stronger in the young stems and veins. It is native to the Americas, from northern South America to Mexico, and is also cultivated in southeast Florida and California.

Taxonomic tree:

Domain:
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum:
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order:Piperales
Family:Piperaceae
Genus:Piper
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