Yaupon / Ilex vomitoria
Artist
Elizabeth (Bessie) Murray Tyler
(American, 1892 - 1980)
CultureAmerican
Dateca. 1934
MediumWatercolor and graphite
DimensionsOverall: 9 11/16 x 6 in. (24.6 x 15.2 cm)
Overall, Mat: 19 1/4 x 14 1/4 in. (48.9 x 36.2 cm)
Overall, Mat: 19 1/4 x 14 1/4 in. (48.9 x 36.2 cm)
SignedSigned lower right; dated Jan. 18.
InscribedCassena is the name of the tea made from yaupon leaves, or it is called black tea. The leaves contain one-half to one percent of caffeine. The tea is steeped, then cooled by pouring from one container to another. This procedure produces a froth. A mild sleep is produced by the weak tea. It is considered a delicious drink. The Indians used to travel east to the coast in the spring for a big ceremonial feast and drink this strong cassena, and be made ill. This was their spring dose. Found in low woods from Virginia to Florida; also in Bermuda and called South Sea Tea. Flowers in May and fruits ripen in November. [edited transcription]
Credit LineMuseum collection
Object number41.45.58
Not on view
DescriptionPart of the Tidewater Wildflowers series, done as a WPA Project. Watercolor depicting Yaupon.Label TextYaupon / Ilex vomitoria, ca. 1934 Watercolor and graphite Cassena is the name of the tea made from yaupon leaves, or it is called black tea. The leaves contain one-half to one percent of caffeine. The tea is steeped, then cooled by pouring from one container to another. This procedure produces a froth. A mild sleep is produced by the weak tea. It is considered a delicious drink. The Indians used to travel east to the coast in the spring for a big ceremonial feast and drink this strong cassena, and be made ill. This was their spring dose. Found in low woods from Virginia to Florida; also in Bermuda and called South Sea Tea. Flowers in May and fruits ripen in November. Museum collection 41.45.58 Exhibition History"Tidewater Wildflowers: Watercolors by Bessie Tyler," Willoughby-Baylor House, Norfolk, VA, April 16, 2015 - March 6, 2016.
