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Useful Temperate Plants

Aristotelia chilensis

(Molina) Stuntz

Elaeocarpaceae

+ Synonyms

Aristotelia glabra Miers

Aristotelia glandulosa Ruiz & Pav.

Aristotelia lucida Salisb.

Aristotelia macqui L'Hér.

Beaumaria macqui Deless. ex Steud.

Cornus chilensis Molina

Common Name: Macqui

Aristotelia chilensis
Fruiting branch
Photograph by: Denis.prévôt
Creative Commons License
Aristotelia chilensis Aristotelia chilensis Aristotelia chilensis Aristotelia chilensis Aristotelia chilensis

General Information

Aristotelia chilensis is an evergreen, spreading shrub that usually grows 2 - 5 metres tall, sometimes attaining 10 metres in the wild with a trunk up to 40cm in diameter[
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.
,
487
Title
Inventory of Seeds and Plants Imported Vol. 21
Publication
USDA Bureau of Plant Industry - Bulletin No. 205
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
USDA Government Printing Office; Washington DC.
Year
1911
ISBN
 
Description
Details of seeds imported for trials by the United States Department of Agriculture in the last quarter of 1909, often detailing the uses of the plant and various other miscellaneous information. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The plant is a very popular wild food, commonly harvested from the wild for local use as a food, colouring and a medicine. Within its native range it is often cultivated on a garden scale for its fruit which is commonly sold in local markets, both as a food and as a material for making natural colourings. The plant has been recommended for commercial cultivation; it is also sometimes grown as an ornamental; and has potential for use as a pioneer for re-establishing native woodland.
Widely grown as an ornamental, the plant was introduced into the Juan Fernández Islands and has since invaded native areas, becoming established and crowding out native species[
305
Title
Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.hear.org/pier/scientificnames/index.html
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A very good website detailing weed species that have been introduced into the Pacific Islands.
].

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.
,
139
Title
Flora of Chile. (in Spanish)
Publication
 
Author
?
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Some information about the useful plants of Chile.
,
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.

Range

S. America - Chile, Argentina

Habitat

A weedy shrub of cleared forests and waste ground, growing in damp humus rich soils on lower mountain hillsides by rivers between latitudes 31 and 40° south[
139
Title
Flora of Chile. (in Spanish)
Publication
 
Author
?
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Some information about the useful plants of Chile.
].

Properties

Weed PotentialYes
Edibility Rating *  *  *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitEvergreen Shrub
Height3.00 m
PollinatorsBees, Insects
Self-fertileNo
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Aristotelia chilensis has a wide latitudinal range (between 31 and 40° south) in Chile, where it is found growing in arid areas (though generally seeking moister locations such as ravines) and also in regions with year-round rainfall[
487
Title
Inventory of Seeds and Plants Imported Vol. 21
Publication
USDA Bureau of Plant Industry - Bulletin No. 205
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
USDA Government Printing Office; Washington DC.
Year
1911
ISBN
 
Description
Details of seeds imported for trials by the United States Department of Agriculture in the last quarter of 1909, often detailing the uses of the plant and various other miscellaneous information. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The plants is only cold hardy in the milder and moister areas of the temperate zone, tolerating temperatures down to around -10°c[
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.
,
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
]. The fruits are freely produced in S.W. England[
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.
]. There is a very good plant at Rosehill near Falmouth[
59
Title
Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall.
Publication
 
Author
Thurston.
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Trees and shrubs that succeed in Cornwall based on the authors own observations. Good but rather dated.
].
Tolerant to a range of soil types[
305
Title
Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.hear.org/pier/scientificnames/index.html
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A very good website detailing weed species that have been introduced into the Pacific Islands.
], it prefers a slightly acid, moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from cold drying winds[
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.
]. Plants are fairly tolerant of maritime exposure[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Plants can be cut back to the ground in severe winters - however it will usually resprout freely from the base in the spring[
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.
]. Sometimes a crowd of vigorous shoots will be produced and these will need thinning[
219
Title
Gardening on Walls
Publication
 
Author
Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V.
Publisher
Collins
Year
1983
ISBN
0-00-219220-0
Description
A nice little book about plants for growing against walls and a small section on plants that can grow in walls.
]. These new shoots will not flower and fruit until their second year of growth so the plant needs to be grown in mild areas if fruit is required[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
A single, well-grown plant can produce up to 10 kilos of fruits per year on an average after seven years[
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
]..
The flowers are very attractive to bees[
59
Title
Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall.
Publication
 
Author
Thurston.
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Trees and shrubs that succeed in Cornwall based on the authors own observations. Good but rather dated.
].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required[
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.
].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or dried for winter use[
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.
,
22
Title
Alternative Foods.
Publication
 
Author
Sholto-Douglas. J.
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Not very comprehensive, it seems more or less like a copy of earlier writings with little added.
,
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
97
Title
The Ethno-Botany of Pre-Columbian Peru.
Publication
 
Author
Towle. M. A.
Publisher
Aldine Publishing Co. Chicago.
Year
1961
ISBN
 
Description
A very interesting book covering quite a lot of information on plant uses in S. America although many of the plants are not suitable for temperate areas.
]. A pleasant taste somewhat like bilberries[
2
Title
Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.
Publication
 
Author
Hedrick. U. P.
Publisher
Dover Publications
Year
1972
ISBN
0-486-20459-6
Description
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
]. Sweet and refreshing, with a slight astringency[
487
Title
Inventory of Seeds and Plants Imported Vol. 21
Publication
USDA Bureau of Plant Industry - Bulletin No. 205
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
USDA Government Printing Office; Washington DC.
Year
1911
ISBN
 
Description
Details of seeds imported for trials by the United States Department of Agriculture in the last quarter of 1909, often detailing the uses of the plant and various other miscellaneous information. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. A popular drink, 'chicha de maqui' is highly esteemed as a healthful beverage - it is nonfermented; the fruit is simply mashed and mixed with water and the liquid drawn off and drunk[
487
Title
Inventory of Seeds and Plants Imported Vol. 21
Publication
USDA Bureau of Plant Industry - Bulletin No. 205
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
USDA Government Printing Office; Washington DC.
Year
1911
ISBN
 
Description
Details of seeds imported for trials by the United States Department of Agriculture in the last quarter of 1909, often detailing the uses of the plant and various other miscellaneous information. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The purplish to black fruit is rather small, about 6mm in diameter[
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.
,
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.
].

The fruit is rich in anthocyanins which yield a purple colour - it is used on a commercial scale to make a natural food colouring[
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
]. The fruits are dipped in boiling water to loosen the skin, before being dried, ground into a powder, extracted and pressed. It is exported in this form as a raw material for the production of natural colourings[
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
].

Medicinal

A wine made from the fruit is said to have medicinal properties[
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.
].

The leaves are analgesic, astringent, febrifuge. They have been shown to have a relaxing action on muscular fibres. An infusion is used as a gargle in the treatment of throat complaints and tonsil inflammation, and is taken internally to treat intestinal tumours, diarrhoea etc[
487
Title
Inventory of Seeds and Plants Imported Vol. 21
Publication
USDA Bureau of Plant Industry - Bulletin No. 205
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
USDA Government Printing Office; Washington DC.
Year
1911
ISBN
 
Description
Details of seeds imported for trials by the United States Department of Agriculture in the last quarter of 1909, often detailing the uses of the plant and various other miscellaneous information. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
].
A poultice of the leaves, placed over the kidneys, is said to be an effective treatment to calm fevers[
487
Title
Inventory of Seeds and Plants Imported Vol. 21
Publication
USDA Bureau of Plant Industry - Bulletin No. 205
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
USDA Government Printing Office; Washington DC.
Year
1911
ISBN
 
Description
Details of seeds imported for trials by the United States Department of Agriculture in the last quarter of 1909, often detailing the uses of the plant and various other miscellaneous information. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The juice of the leaves is a splendid remedy for throat diseases and ulcers and has a fame for healing wounds[
487
Title
Inventory of Seeds and Plants Imported Vol. 21
Publication
USDA Bureau of Plant Industry - Bulletin No. 205
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
USDA Government Printing Office; Washington DC.
Year
1911
ISBN
 
Description
Details of seeds imported for trials by the United States Department of Agriculture in the last quarter of 1909, often detailing the uses of the plant and various other miscellaneous information. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]
Externally, a leaf infusion is used to wash mouth ulcers, burns etc[
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
]. The dried and powdered leaves are used to make an ointment for healing cuts, wounds etc[
487
Title
Inventory of Seeds and Plants Imported Vol. 21
Publication
USDA Bureau of Plant Industry - Bulletin No. 205
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
USDA Government Printing Office; Washington DC.
Year
1911
ISBN
 
Description
Details of seeds imported for trials by the United States Department of Agriculture in the last quarter of 1909, often detailing the uses of the plant and various other miscellaneous information. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

The fruit, being a quick, mild acid, and astringent, is often used as a refreshing drink in the sick room and is especially efficacious in fevers[
487
Title
Inventory of Seeds and Plants Imported Vol. 21
Publication
USDA Bureau of Plant Industry - Bulletin No. 205
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
USDA Government Printing Office; Washington DC.
Year
1911
ISBN
 
Description
Details of seeds imported for trials by the United States Department of Agriculture in the last quarter of 1909, often detailing the uses of the plant and various other miscellaneous information. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. When toasted and ground or broken and then put into hot water, it is a sure remedy against the worst cases of diarrhoea, dysentery, and cholera[
487
Title
Inventory of Seeds and Plants Imported Vol. 21
Publication
USDA Bureau of Plant Industry - Bulletin No. 205
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
USDA Government Printing Office; Washington DC.
Year
1911
ISBN
 
Description
Details of seeds imported for trials by the United States Department of Agriculture in the last quarter of 1909, often detailing the uses of the plant and various other miscellaneous information. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
].
The fruit is rich in anthocyanins[
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

In its native range, the plant is a common, weedy shrub of cleared forest and waste places[
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.
]. This suggests strongly that the plant would make a very good pioneer species for restoring native woodland and also for establishing a woodland garden[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Other Uses

The fruit is used on a commercial scale to make a natural colouring[
777
Title
Frutipedia - Encyclopedia of Edible Fruits of the World
Publication
 
Author
Parmar Dr. C.
Website
http://fruitipedia.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online publication, listing over 400 species of fruits, usually with photos and some information on the plant.
].

The bark of the new wood is very flexible and is used for making lassos and ropes for use about the farm; also for tying in the vineyards. The ties are strong and last a long time if dampened before using[
487
Title
Inventory of Seeds and Plants Imported Vol. 21
Publication
USDA Bureau of Plant Industry - Bulletin No. 205
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
USDA Government Printing Office; Washington DC.
Year
1911
ISBN
 
Description
Details of seeds imported for trials by the United States Department of Agriculture in the last quarter of 1909, often detailing the uses of the plant and various other miscellaneous information. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

The wood of this tree is considered to be the most sonorous of all in the vegetable kingdom; elegant and resonant guitars are made from it[
454
Title
Useful Fiber Plants of the World
Publication
 
Author
Dodge C.R.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
Publisher
USDA; Washington.
Year
1897
ISBN
 
Description
A rather dated, but very comprehensive catalogue of fibre plants from around the world. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Once the plants are at least 20cm tall, plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[
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.
].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth in early winter[
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]).
]. Take cuttings 15 - 30cm long and plant them in pots or the open soil in a greenhouse. They normally root very easily and can be potted up in early summer then planted out late the following spring[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-12-12. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Aristotelia+chilensis>

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