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Useful Temperate Plants

Azorella compacta

Phil.

Apiaceae

+ Synonyms

Azorella columnaris H.Wolff

Azorella prismatoclada Domin

Azorella yareta Hauman

Laretia compacta (Phil.) Reiche

Laretia yareta (Hauman) Mathias & Constance

Common Name:

Azorella compacta
A cushion-forming plant, this specimen could be as much as 3,000 years old
Photograph by: Pedro Szekely
Creative Commons License
Azorella compacta Azorella compacta Azorella compacta Azorella compacta

General Information

Azorella compacta is a cushion-forming, perennial woody herb growing from a taproot. It forms a light green, hard, dense cushion of growth up to 115cm tall and 400cm wide, though much larger plants are reputed to have existed in the past[
1094
Title
Llareta (Azorella compacta, Umbelliferae); A Review
Publication
Economic Botany 49(2);207-212. 1995
Author
Wickens G.E.
Publisher
 
Year
1995
ISBN
 
Description
A review of the uses of Azorella compacta
].
The plant is an important local medicine and source of fuel, though overexploitation has greatly reduced its frequency. In some areas its harvest is prohibited.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

1094
Title
Llareta (Azorella compacta, Umbelliferae); A Review
Publication
Economic Botany 49(2);207-212. 1995
Author
Wickens G.E.
Publisher
 
Year
1995
ISBN
 
Description
A review of the uses of Azorella compacta

Range

Western S. America - Andean mountains of southern Peru, northeast Chile, Bolivia and northwestern Argentina.

Habitat

Semi-arid land, growing near boulders at elevations from 3,800 - 5,200 metres[
1094
Title
Llareta (Azorella compacta, Umbelliferae); A Review
Publication
Economic Botany 49(2);207-212. 1995
Author
Wickens G.E.
Publisher
 
Year
1995
ISBN
 
Description
A review of the uses of Azorella compacta
].

Properties

Medicinal Rating *  *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Perennial
Height1.00 m
Growth RateSlow
PollinatorsInsects
Self-fertileYes
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Azorella compacta is found at high elevations in arid and semi-arid regions of the Andes. It can experience wide daily temperature fluctuations, with daytime temperatures sometimes in excess of 25°c whilst nightime temperatures can fall considerably below 0°c.
Requires a position in full sun in a well-drained gritty soil[
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 very slow-growing, but long-lived[
1094
Title
Llareta (Azorella compacta, Umbelliferae); A Review
Publication
Economic Botany 49(2);207-212. 1995
Author
Wickens G.E.
Publisher
 
Year
1995
ISBN
 
Description
A review of the uses of Azorella compacta
]. Estimates in age for a plant 1.15 metres tall range from 850 - 3,000 years[
1094
Title
Llareta (Azorella compacta, Umbelliferae); A Review
Publication
Economic Botany 49(2);207-212. 1995
Author
Wickens G.E.
Publisher
 
Year
1995
ISBN
 
Description
A review of the uses of Azorella compacta
].
Very free-branching, the plants form a spreading crown of rosettes which eventually forms a compact cushion that gradually increases in size. The interior of the plant contains a considerable mass of crumbling, damp, dead tissues - the remains of branches that were engulfed or crowded out by others[
1094
Title
Llareta (Azorella compacta, Umbelliferae); A Review
Publication
Economic Botany 49(2);207-212. 1995
Author
Wickens G.E.
Publisher
 
Year
1995
ISBN
 
Description
A review of the uses of Azorella compacta
].
Flowering is variable, but usually occurs all year round, being concentrated in one section of the plant at any one time[
1094
Title
Llareta (Azorella compacta, Umbelliferae); A Review
Publication
Economic Botany 49(2);207-212. 1995
Author
Wickens G.E.
Publisher
 
Year
1995
ISBN
 
Description
A review of the uses of Azorella compacta
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is commonly used in traditional medicine and also has a considerable potential for use in conventional medicine. It is used traditionally to treat conditions such as colds and pains, and has also been recorded as an effective hypoglycaemic - an infusion of 25g of the plant in 0.25 litres of water being an effective dose to reduce blood sugar levels[
1094
Title
Llareta (Azorella compacta, Umbelliferae); A Review
Publication
Economic Botany 49(2);207-212. 1995
Author
Wickens G.E.
Publisher
 
Year
1995
ISBN
 
Description
A review of the uses of Azorella compacta
]. An infusion of the fresh flowering plant has been used to relieve altitude sickness and has potential dermatological applications[
1094
Title
Llareta (Azorella compacta, Umbelliferae); A Review
Publication
Economic Botany 49(2);207-212. 1995
Author
Wickens G.E.
Publisher
 
Year
1995
ISBN
 
Description
A review of the uses of Azorella compacta
].

A draught, syrup or tea made from the boiled roots is used in the treatment of diabetes, asthma, colds, bronchitis, kidney and womb complaints[
1094
Title
Llareta (Azorella compacta, Umbelliferae); A Review
Publication
Economic Botany 49(2);207-212. 1995
Author
Wickens G.E.
Publisher
 
Year
1995
ISBN
 
Description
A review of the uses of Azorella compacta
].

The turpentine resin is astringent and absorbent. It is used in the treatment of colds and pains[
1094
Title
Llareta (Azorella compacta, Umbelliferae); A Review
Publication
Economic Botany 49(2);207-212. 1995
Author
Wickens G.E.
Publisher
 
Year
1995
ISBN
 
Description
A review of the uses of Azorella compacta
].
The heated resin is applied to ease a toothaches and is used as a dressing to relieve backaches[
1094
Title
Llareta (Azorella compacta, Umbelliferae); A Review
Publication
Economic Botany 49(2);207-212. 1995
Author
Wickens G.E.
Publisher
 
Year
1995
ISBN
 
Description
A review of the uses of Azorella compacta
].

Other Uses

A resin obtained from the plant is used as an absorbent for medicines[
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.
].

The ash from the wood is used as a fertilizer[
1094
Title
Llareta (Azorella compacta, Umbelliferae); A Review
Publication
Economic Botany 49(2);207-212. 1995
Author
Wickens G.E.
Publisher
 
Year
1995
ISBN
 
Description
A review of the uses of Azorella compacta
].

Although a small, slow-growing plant, the wood it produces is a very good fuel, especially in a region rather short of woody plants. It used to be a major source of fuel within its native range, where it was harvested on a commercial basis for sale to railways, copper mines etc. It is still used on a domestic basis for cooking and heating[
1094
Title
Llareta (Azorella compacta, Umbelliferae); A Review
Publication
Economic Botany 49(2);207-212. 1995
Author
Wickens G.E.
Publisher
 
Year
1995
ISBN
 
Description
A review of the uses of Azorella compacta
]. The plant needs to be dried for 4 - 5 months after harvest before being used for fuel[
1094
Title
Llareta (Azorella compacta, Umbelliferae); A Review
Publication
Economic Botany 49(2);207-212. 1995
Author
Wickens G.E.
Publisher
 
Year
1995
ISBN
 
Description
A review of the uses of Azorella compacta
].

Propagation

Seed - it can be difficult to germinate. A regime of 12 hours light at 23°c followed by 12 hours dark at 9°c produced 30% germination after 2 months[
1094
Title
Llareta (Azorella compacta, Umbelliferae); A Review
Publication
Economic Botany 49(2);207-212. 1995
Author
Wickens G.E.
Publisher
 
Year
1995
ISBN
 
Description
A review of the uses of Azorella compacta
]. Cold stratification did not improve germination rates[
1094
Title
Llareta (Azorella compacta, Umbelliferae); A Review
Publication
Economic Botany 49(2);207-212. 1995
Author
Wickens G.E.
Publisher
 
Year
1995
ISBN
 
Description
A review of the uses of Azorella compacta
].
Seed production can be very poor - in one examination less than 1% of all the seeds produced were actually viable[
1094
Title
Llareta (Azorella compacta, Umbelliferae); A Review
Publication
Economic Botany 49(2);207-212. 1995
Author
Wickens G.E.
Publisher
 
Year
1995
ISBN
 
Description
A review of the uses of Azorella compacta
].
Division.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-12-23. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Azorella+compacta>

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