A long cultivated plant of Mexico, Guatemala , Panama it derives it’s name Latin ( Auritus) meaning ‘long eared’ referring to the leaves shape. Fresh leaves are used fresh or dried as wrappers for fish, poultry, and even tamales for steaming and baking.. Its leaves have a distinct fragrance of root beer ( sassafras) it has knobby herbaceous stems and can grow to 12’ at maturity, supporting itself with prop roots at its base. Very lovely and quick growing. Zone 8 and higher