Stevia rebaudiana is in full bloom at the Shanghai Chenshan Botanicial Garden in Songjiang, Shanghai. [Photo/sheshantravel.gov.cn]

The Shanghai Chenshan Botanicial Garden, known as the largest botanical garden in East China, is home to approximately 10,000 plant species, as well as various kinds of compositae plants such as Jerusalem artichoke, African marigolds, chrysanthemum, and stevia rebaudiana.

Stevia rebaudiana belongs to the genus stevia and is widely grown for its use in producing sweetener products and its use as a natural sweetener with low calories. The leaves of stevia rebaudiana contain stevioside, which is highly sweet. Stevia rebaudiana can be used to make tea, snacks and preserved fruit.