Stevia (genus) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stevia (genus) |
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| Stevia rebaudiana flowers | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Supertribe: | Helianthodae |
| Tribe: | Eupatorieae |
| Genus: | Stevia Cav. |
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About 240 species, including:
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Stevia is a group of about 240 different kinds of plants. These plants are usually herbs (plants with soft stems) or shrubs (small, bushy plants). They belong to the Asteraceae family, which also includes sunflowers and daisies.
Stevia plants naturally grow in warm, subtropical and tropical areas. You can find them from western North America all the way to South America.
One special type of Stevia, called Stevia rebaudiana, is very famous. People grow it because its leaves contain sweet compounds. These compounds are called steviol glycosides. They are taken out of the leaves and used as a sugar substitute. This means they can make food and drinks sweet without using regular sugar. You might see it sold as "stevia" or under different brand names.
Discovering Stevia
The Stevia group of plants has 240 different kinds. Most of them grow in South America, Central America, and Mexico. Some types can even be found further north in places like Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas in the United States.
The name Stevia was given to these plants to honor a Spanish botanist and doctor. His name was Petrus Jacobus Stevus, also known as Pedro Jaime Esteve. He lived from 1500 to 1556 and was a professor of plants at the University of Valencia.
People in South America were the first to use the sweet Stevia rebaudiana plant. They have known about its sweet taste for a very long time.
Why Stevia is Sweet
The sweetness in Stevia rebaudiana comes from natural compounds. These compounds are found in the plant's leaves. They are much sweeter than regular sugar.
Because of this, only a small amount of stevia is needed to sweeten things. It has become a popular choice for people who want to reduce their sugar intake.
How Stevia is Used
The sweet compounds from Stevia leaves are used in many products. You can find them in drinks, snacks, and even some medicines. They provide sweetness without adding calories.
To get the sweet part, the leaves are harvested. Then, the special compounds are extracted. This process turns the plant into a sweetener we can use every day.
See also
In Spanish: Stevia (género) para niños
