Ilex latifolia

Ilex latifolia is an evergreen tree belonging to the genus Ilex in the Aquifoliaceae family and is a foliage plant. Its trunk is straight, branches and leaves are lush, and the tree shape is beautiful, resembling the Magnolia grandiflora. The colors of its leaves, flowers and fruits change richly. The young buds and new leaves are purplish-red, the leaves in normal growth are bluish-green, and the old leaves are dark green. In May, the flowers are yellow. In autumn, the fruits change from yellow to orange-red. The fruit-hanging period is long and it is very beautiful, possessing high ornamental value.

It has strong adaptability, is relatively cold-resistant and shade-tolerant, grows relatively fast and has few pests and diseases, making it an ideal third-generation greening tree species for cities. Its leaves can be used to make "Kuding tea", which is an excellent traditional pure natural health drink in China. Kuding tea contains more than 200 components such as kudin saponins, amino acids, vitamin C, polyphenols, flavonoids, caffeine, proteins and so on. The finished tea has a delicate fragrance, tastes bitter at first and then turns sweet and cool. It has multiple effects such as clearing heat and relieving summer heat, improving eyesight and enhancing intelligence, promoting the production of body fluid and quenching thirst, diuresis and strengthening the heart, moistening the throat and relieving cough, lowering blood pressure and reducing weight, inhibiting and preventing cancer, anti-aging, promoting blood circulation and so on. It has long been known as "health tea", "beauty tea", "weight-loss tea", "blood pressure-lowering tea", "longevity tea" and other good reputations.