Description of Tessaria dodeneifolia (Hook. & Arn.) Cabrera, (Asteraceae), the sweet plant

Abstract

Ethnobotanical knowledge is important contributions in the life of man and allowed the application of traditional use of medicinal, aromatic, food plants. Thus, in the community of Ybabiyu, Guazucua District Department of Ñeembucú, the use of the leaves of a plant species known as “sweet plant” ("ka´a he´ê " (sweet plant) as a sweetener to replace sugar is reported . The study was qualitative, observational and descriptive. The geographical area was the region of Ñeembucú, in the locality known as Ybabiyu, Guazucua district. The species was collected in the wild, from a private property in the area. It was identified as Tessaria dodoneifolia (Hook. & Arn.) Cabrera (Asteraceae). This use is reported for the first time for Paraguay, plus features and ecological aspects of the species called "ka´a he´ê " (Tessaria dodoneifolia) used as a sweetener in liquid food, in the region of Ñeembucú, Paraguay. This species is widely distributed and has varied used in South America countries.