description the photographs together with the description of stevia u2018 12 05 005 u2019 are based upon the observations taken during the 2014 growing season in east lansing mich the following description of stevia plant u2018 12 05 005 u2019 contains references to color names taken from the royal horticultural society colour chart r h s 2001 edition botanical descriptions follow the manual of cultivated plants bailey 1949 stevia plant u2018 12 05 005 u2019 has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions and as such the characteristics may vary in detail depending on weather conditions day length soil type and location shape u2014 upright to semi upright habit u2014 herbaceous perennial branching habit u2014 freely branching basal nodes number of nodes on main stem u2014 19 height u2014 370 5 mm width u2014 235 4 mm number of stems arising from base u2014 1 0 main stem length u2014 370 5 mm main stem diameter at midpoint u2014 5 6 number of branches arising from lower half of stem u2014 6 0 branch angle from main stem u2014 40 u00b0 main stem color u2014 green 141b stem length u2014 43 cm stem diameter u2014 9 5 mm internode length u2014 1 1 cm stem texture u2014 pubescent stem color u2014 139d shape u2014 simple arrangement on stem u2014 generally opposite margin u2014 serrated dorsal color u2014 green 137b ventral color u2014 green 137d venation color u2014 green 137d leaf angle from main stem u2014 74 u00b0 width u2014 10 7 mm length including petiole u2014 44 9 thickness u2014 lt 1 mm length of petiole u2014 2 7 mm petiole color u2014.