Yaupon Holly Tree
The Yaupon (Ilex vomitoria, Ait.) is a shrubby tree of spreading habit with very small oval, evergreen leaves and many red berries. It grows from Virginia to Florida and west to Texas and Arkansas.The Indians made their famous "Black Drink" by boiling the leaves of this tree. This nauseating beverage was persistently drunk for several days with the notion that the system was thoroughly cleansed by the process. This purification was a yearly ceremonial in which the whole tribe took a part.