Stevia salicifolia
Stevia salicifolia, commonly known as willow-leaved stevia, is a perennial shrub native to Mexico and Central America. Distinguished by its slender, lanceolate leaves, this medicinal plant is valued in traditional ethnobotany for its unique properties, offering potential therapeutic benefits ranging from anti-inflammatory effects to natural, calorie-free sweetening applications.
- Scientific name: Stevia salicifolia
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Stevia, which includes the species Stevia salicifolia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Stevia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Stevia salicifolia, is known by various common names depending on the region and language. In English, it is frequently referred to as willow-leaf stevia, a name that highlights its distinctive leaf shape. In Spanish, the plant is commonly called stevia de hoja de sauce or estevia de hoja de sauce, reflecting its botanical characteristics within its native habitats.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution primarily concentrated within North America. In the South-Central United States, its presence is documented in the state of New Mexico. The species is also widespread throughout various regions of Mexico. Specifically, it can be found in Mexico Central and across the Northeast territories. Additionally, its range extends into the Mexico Gulf and Mexico Northwest regions.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| South-Central U.S.A. | New Mexico | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Stevia salicifolia, is a species known for its medicinal properties, and while much of its significance lies in its foliage, the roots also serve as a distinct anatomical component of the organism. In many members of the Stevia genus, the roots function to anchor the plant securely in its native soil and facilitate the uptake of essential water and nutrients necessary for growth. Although the leaves are the most commonly utilized part for studying its bioactive compounds, understanding the entire structure, including the roots, is vital for a complete botanical profile of the species.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Stevia salicifolia has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include stevisalioside A.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stevisalioside A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |