Definition

Noun * A shrub that is cultivated by Arabs for its leaves which are chewed or used to make tea: Catha edulis is the scientific name for a flowering evergreen plant native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Its leaves contain stimulant alkaloids.

Usage

• The term Catha edulis is used in formal, scientific, and botanical contexts to refer specifically to this plant species.
• It is often discussed in relation to its cultural significance, stimulant properties, and legal status.

Examples

• Scientific Context: "The study focused on the alkaloid content of ."
• Cultural/Botanical Context: " has been cultivated for centuries in Yemen and Ethiopia."
• General Reference: "The leaves of are commonly known as khat or qat."

Advanced Usage

• The plant Catha edulis is the source of the stimulant substance known internationally as khat. Discussions in legal, anthropological, or public health domains frequently use the scientific name for precision.

Variants and Related Words

• Khat (n.): The common name for the leaves and shoots of , and the name of the stimulant derived from them.
• Qat (n.): An alternative spelling for 'khat'.
• Miraa (n.): A common name for the plant, particularly used in Kenya.

Synonyms

• Khat shrub
• Qat plant
• Arabian tea plant (This name references one traditional use of the leaves.)

Notes

• Catha edulis is a binomial Latin name. The first part () is the genus, and the second part () is the specific epithet, meaning "edible."
• It is important to distinguish the plant itself (Catha edulis) from the product prepared from its leaves (khat).

Noun

1. a shrub that is cultivated by Arabs for its leaves which are chewed or used to make tea