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Useful Temperate Plants

Amomyrtus luma

(Molina) D.Legrand & Kausel

Myrtaceae

+ Synonyms

Eugenia darwinii Hook.f.

Myrceugenia luma (Molina) I.M.Johnst.

Myrcia lechleriana Miq.

Myrtus darwinii (Hook.f.) Barnéoud

Myrtus lechleriana (Miq.) Sealy

Myrtus luma Barnéoud in C.Gay

Myrtus luma Molina

Myrtus multiflora Juss. ex J.St.-Hil.

Myrtus reloncavi Barnéoud ex F.Phil.

Myrtus valdiviana Phil.

Pseudocaryophyllus darwinii (Hook.f.) Burret

Pseudocaryophyllus multiflorus (Juss. ex J.St.-Hil.) Burret

Common Name:

Amomyrtus luma
Ripening fruits
Photograph by: Jon Sullivan
Creative Commons License
Amomyrtus luma Amomyrtus luma Amomyrtus luma

General Information

Amomyrtus luma is an evergreen shrub or a tree that can grow up to 20 metres tall, though usually smaller in cultivation[
1065
Title
The Myrtle Family (Myrtaceae) in Chile
Publication
Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences Vol. 45 No. 12 pp 277 - 317
Author
Landrum L.R.
Publisher
The California Academy of Sciences; San Francisco
Year
1988
ISBN
0068-547X
Description
An enumeration of the Myrtaceae in Chile, describing the plants and their habitats, often including their uses.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of wood. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
1065
Title
The Myrtle Family (Myrtaceae) in Chile
Publication
Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences Vol. 45 No. 12 pp 277 - 317
Author
Landrum L.R.
Publisher
The California Academy of Sciences; San Francisco
Year
1988
ISBN
0068-547X
Description
An enumeration of the Myrtaceae in Chile, describing the plants and their habitats, often including their uses.

Range

S. America - central and southern Chile to southwestern Argentina.

Habitat

A plant of wet habitatats, usually in forests, at elevations up to 2,000 metres[
330
Title
ChileFlora
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.chileflora.com/index.html
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Not realy a flora, but a lovely site with lots of helpful information for the gardener and an abundance of excellent photos covering over 2,000 species of Chilean plants.
,
1065
Title
The Myrtle Family (Myrtaceae) in Chile
Publication
Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences Vol. 45 No. 12 pp 277 - 317
Author
Landrum L.R.
Publisher
The California Academy of Sciences; San Francisco
Year
1988
ISBN
0068-547X
Description
An enumeration of the Myrtaceae in Chile, describing the plants and their habitats, often including their uses.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Shrub
Height7.50 m
PollinatorsBees
Self-fertileYes
Cultivation StatusOrnamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Amomyrtus luma is not very winter hardy, tolerating winter frosts with temperatures that sometimes fall as low as -5°c. In its native range in Chile it experiences rain all year round and can be found at elevations from near sea level to around 2,000 metres[
330
Title
ChileFlora
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.chileflora.com/index.html
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Not realy a flora, but a lovely site with lots of helpful information for the gardener and an abundance of excellent photos covering over 2,000 species of Chilean plants.
]. It grows well in the mild maritime climate of southwest England and southern Ireland, where it fruits heavily in late summer and often self-sows freely[
1065
Title
The Myrtle Family (Myrtaceae) in Chile
Publication
Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences Vol. 45 No. 12 pp 277 - 317
Author
Landrum L.R.
Publisher
The California Academy of Sciences; San Francisco
Year
1988
ISBN
0068-547X
Description
An enumeration of the Myrtaceae in Chile, describing the plants and their habitats, often including their uses.
,
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Succeeds in any reasonably good soil[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
] including dry ones. Prefers a moderately fertile well-drained loam in a sunny position[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Dislikes cold drying winds but withstands considerable maritime exposure[
182
Title
Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos.
Publication
 
Author
Thomas. G. S.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1992
ISBN
0-7195-5043-2
Description
Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.
].
The leaves are strongly aromatic[
1065
Title
The Myrtle Family (Myrtaceae) in Chile
Publication
Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences Vol. 45 No. 12 pp 277 - 317
Author
Landrum L.R.
Publisher
The California Academy of Sciences; San Francisco
Year
1988
ISBN
0068-547X
Description
An enumeration of the Myrtaceae in Chile, describing the plants and their habitats, often including their uses.
].
The flowers, which are sweetly scented[
245
Title
Scented Flora of the World.
Publication
 
Author
Genders. R.
Publisher
Robert Hale. London.
Year
1994
ISBN
0-7090-5440-8
Description
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.
], are susceptible to damage by late spring frosts[
11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[
166
Title
The Milder Garden.
Publication
 
Author
Taylor. J.
Publisher
Dent
Year
1990
ISBN
 
Description
A good book on plants that you didn't know could be grown outdoors in Britain.
]. About the size of a small blackcurrant, they are very aromatic and also contain a lot of seeds[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. They are fermented to make a drink known as 'chicha'[
1065
Title
The Myrtle Family (Myrtaceae) in Chile
Publication
Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences Vol. 45 No. 12 pp 277 - 317
Author
Landrum L.R.
Publisher
The California Academy of Sciences; San Francisco
Year
1988
ISBN
0068-547X
Description
An enumeration of the Myrtaceae in Chile, describing the plants and their habitats, often including their uses.
]. The black sub-globose fruits are 5 - 10mm in diameter[
1065
Title
The Myrtle Family (Myrtaceae) in Chile
Publication
Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences Vol. 45 No. 12 pp 277 - 317
Author
Landrum L.R.
Publisher
The California Academy of Sciences; San Francisco
Year
1988
ISBN
0068-547X
Description
An enumeration of the Myrtaceae in Chile, describing the plants and their habitats, often including their uses.
].

Medicinal

The leaves are astringent and stimulant[
1065
Title
The Myrtle Family (Myrtaceae) in Chile
Publication
Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences Vol. 45 No. 12 pp 277 - 317
Author
Landrum L.R.
Publisher
The California Academy of Sciences; San Francisco
Year
1988
ISBN
0068-547X
Description
An enumeration of the Myrtaceae in Chile, describing the plants and their habitats, often including their uses.
]. The leaves are used to decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and to treat liver diseases[
1067
Title
Mapuche Herbal Medicine Inhibits Blood Platelet Aggregation
Publication
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Volume 2012, Article ID 647620, 9 pages
Author
Susan Skanderup Falkenberg et al
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Year
2012
ISBN
 
Description
A research paper, it includes information on the herbal uses of 12 plants
].

Other Uses

The wood is very hard. It is used for making tool handles, farm equipment etc, and for lumber[
1065
Title
The Myrtle Family (Myrtaceae) in Chile
Publication
Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences Vol. 45 No. 12 pp 277 - 317
Author
Landrum L.R.
Publisher
The California Academy of Sciences; San Francisco
Year
1988
ISBN
0068-547X
Description
An enumeration of the Myrtaceae in Chile, describing the plants and their habitats, often including their uses.
].

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow it in late winter in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame. Pot up in the autumn and overwinter in a cold frame. Plant out in late spring. High percentage[
78
Title
Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
Publication
 
Author
Sheat. W. G.
Publisher
MacMillan and Co
Year
1948
ISBN
-
Description
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, 7 - 12cm with a heel, late autumn in a shaded and frost free frame. Plant out in late spring or early autumn. High percentage[
78
Title
Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
Publication
 
Author
Sheat. W. G.
Publisher
MacMillan and Co
Year
1948
ISBN
-
Description
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
].
Layering.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-03-29. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Amomyrtus+luma>

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