Rooibos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rooibos |
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Aspalathus
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A. linearis
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| Aspalathus linearis (N.L.Burm.) R.Dahlgr.
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Rooibos is a special plant from South Africa. Its name means 'red bush' in Afrikaans. This plant is a type of shrub, like a small bush. It belongs to the same plant family as peas, called Fabaceae. Rooibos grows naturally in a unique area of South Africa known as the fynbos.
People use the leaves of the rooibos plant to make a popular herbal tea. This tea is known by several names, including rooibos, bush tea, red tea, or redbush tea. It has been a favorite drink in Southern Africa for many generations. Now, people in many countries around the world enjoy it too. Sometimes, you might see it spelled rooibosch. This spelling comes from the original Dutch words for 'red bush'. The tea has a taste and color that can be a bit like hibiscus tea. It often has an earthy flavor, similar to yerba mate.
What Does the Name Rooibos Mean?
The scientific name for rooibos is Aspalathus linearis. The first part, Aspalathus, comes from an old Greek name. This Greek name was for a plant called Calicotome villosa. That plant looks very similar to rooibos, especially its growth and flowers.
The second part of the name, linearis, describes the plant's shape. It means 'linear' or 'straight'. This refers to how the rooibos plant grows. It has long, thin, needle-like leaves.
Images for kids
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Green rooibos tea
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Rooibos tea in a glass
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Rooibos tea with milk
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A rooibos-infused liqueur and rooibos tea
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A. linearis response to fire. Plants native to the Fynbos eco-region, like rooibos, are fire dependent, however rooibos varieties exhibit two different adaptions to fire.
See also
In Spanish: Rooibos para niños
