I always figured the holly species was poisonous, but apparantly the American Indians made a ceremonial tea from one type of holly, the Ilex vomitoria aka Yaupon Holly.
photosource JSPIPPEN
the holly contains caffiene, and is similar to yerba mate used by some South American Indians.
and archeologists found a shell with residuals of the tea in the Craig mound at Spiro Mounds in Okalahoma, the only public mound site in the state.
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