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Definition

noun, plural: youpons

(botany) An evergreen shrub of the Holly family native to southeastern North America, which has a smooth elliptical leaves, white flowers, and lustrous red or yellow berries.

Supplement

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Aquifoliales Family: Aquifoliaceae Genus: Ilex Species: I. vomitoria

Binomial name: Ilex vomitoria Aiton

The dried leaves are formerly used by native Americans in making a black drink or asi for male-only purification and unity rituals.

Word origin: From the Catawba word yąpą, from yą (wood, tree) + pą (leaf).
Also known as: Yaupon Holly, Cassina, Ilex vomitoria, Ilex cassine.
Also spelled as: Yaupon