Sapnish: Hoja santa, means sacred leaf; Yerba santa; Hierba santa.
English: Mexican pepperleaf; Root beer plant; Vera Cruz pepper; Sacred pepper; False Kava-Kava.
Names: Acuyo; Tlanepa; Anisillo.
Content: safrole.
Region: tropic Mesoamerica, northern South America to Mexico; cultivated in southeast Florida and California.
Culture: Rock opera Tommy.
Botany: shrub, tree-like, to 10 m tall; aromatic; leaves big!, to 30 cm, heart-shaped, velvety, asymetric base.
Use: flavouring, chocolate, foods; flavour is complex, compared to eucalyptus, licorice, sassafras, anise, nutmeg, mint, tarragon, black pepper; the flavor is stronger in the young stems and veins.