The Genus Stevia
Candyleaf
Family: Asteraceae
We have several species of Stevia in Arizona, related to the famous sugar-substitute and having the same sweet flavor to the leaves derived from compounds called steviol glycocides. Most grow 1-3’ tall. The perennial species tend to spread by rhizomes. Most flower in fall, but a few flower spring into fall.
Part to filtered sun in the low desert, regular water with good drainage, hardy well below 0°F.
Flowers are nectar rich and attract loads of butterflies. Probably a larval host.
About 275 species native to subtropical and tropical regions from western North America to South America with a few species in Arizona.
Plummer's Candyleaf (Stevia plummerae) Found in rich soil in canyons, from 6,000-8,000' in Arizona, New Mexico, and south into Mexico. Photo by Ries Lindley, SEINET
Lemmon's Candyleaf (Stevia lemmonii) Found in rocky areas on slopes, roadcuts, and streamsides, in pine-oak and oak-juniper woodlands, also in cotton-sycamore woodlands, from 3,000-5,500 in Arizona and northern Mexico. Photo by Anthony Mendoza, SEINET
Viscid Candyleaf (Stevia viscida) Native to pastures, roadsides, and disturbed soils at 5000-6500' in Arizona, Texas, and northern Mexico. Photo by Richard Spellenberg, iNaturalist
The famous candyleaf used commercially (Stevia rebaudiana) is native to Paraguay and Brazil, photo by Ethel Aardvark, Wikipedia