Stevia Rebaudiana is a subtropical plant and prefers a climate where the mean temperature is 75° F. and is always semihumid. It thrives where it rains approximately 55 each year. S. Rebaudiana is a herbaceous perennial shrub native to the highlands of Paraguay and sections of Argentina and Brazil that are situated along the 25th Degree Line, South Latitude In the wild, Stevia grows to 2 feet in height while cultivated varieties grow to three feet. A spindly, manybranched plant with an interesting root system. Fine roots spread out on the surface of the soil, while a thicker part of the root grows deep into the soil. The stems are hairy, wandlike and covered with leaves. Leaves are opposite and toothed, fibrous and dark green. Flowers are white, tubular and bisexual. While the plant itself is not aromatic, the leaves are sweet to the taste and dry leaves are sweeter.

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