Family:  Pepper (Piperaceae)

Hardy to Zones 8 to 12, otherwise greenhoused and protected from frost

(Hoja Santa, Sacred Leaf, Root Beer Plant, Acuyo, False Kava)  Long-lived shrub to 20 feet tall, usually much shorter, native to the tropical rainforests of Southern Mexico to Colombia.  Creeping plant with highly decorative, spreading, rounded leaves flowering in white, drooping, tail-like structures known as spadices.  Source of saffrole. Traditional uses (TNAM):  Facilitates childbirth, emmenagogue, galactogogue, antivenin for snakebites, juice applied to help remove ticks, fight inflamation and infection, applied locally to help relieve headache.  Culinary uses:  Wrapper for tomales, fish and other dishes, soups, spice, plates.  Plant prefers high rainfall or frequent watering and fertile yet fast-draining soils in the part shade. They may be greenhoused with good effect and should be given a 5-gallon pot to start and kept out of the bright sun.   Spreads rapidly but is easily removed from places where it is not wanted.  Space plants 6 feet apart.

Potted plant, certified organically grown