Common Name: Winter's Bark

General Information

Drimys winteri is an aromatic, evergreen shrub growing up to 7.5 metres tall.
The bark is harvested from the wild and used locally as a food flavouring, medicine and source of materials. A very ornamental plant, it is often cultivated in gardens[].

Known Hazards

The sap of this plant can cause serious inflammation if it comes into contact with the eyes[].

Botanical References

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Range

Southern S. America - southern Chile to southwest Argentina.

Habitat

The dominant tree in moister lowland sites to Tierra Del Fuego[]. Boggy sites by streams etc in rich soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	7.50 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Drimys winteri is a plant of the temperate and subtropical zones, it is also found at higher elevations up to 3,000 metres in the tropics. When dormant, it tolerates temperatures down to about -10°c[].
Requires a light lime-free soil in semi-shade[]. Tolerates chalk in the soil[]. Requires a deep moist soil[]. Dislikes dry conditions[]. Prefers a warm sandy loam with some shelter[]. Fairly wind resistant[, ]. Another report says that the plant resents severe wind-chill[].
Succeeds against a wall at Kew[] and it thrives in an open position in southwest England[, , ]. This species is less hardy than Drimys lanceolata but it usually recovers from damage caused by cold[]. Another report says that it is hardier than Drimys lanceolata[].
A very ornamental plant[]. The sub-species Drimys winteri andina. Reiche. is a slow growing dwarf form seldom exceeding 1 metre in height[]. It usually commences flowering when about 30cm tall[].
A polymorphic species[].
The flowers have a delicate fragrance of jasmine, whilst the bark has a powerful aromatic smell[].
This plant was a symbol of peace to the indigenous Indian tribes of S. America in much the same way as an olive branch was used in Greece[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

The aromatic pungent bark is powdered and used as a pepper substitute in Brazil, Chile and Argentina[, , , ]. It is rich in vitamin C[].

Medicinal

The bark is a pungent bitter tonic herb that relieves indigestion[]. It is antiscorbutic, aromatic, febrifuge, skin, stimulant and stomachic. An infusion of the bark is used in the treatment of indigestion, colic, dandruff and scurvy[, , , , ]. It is also used as a parasiticide[, , , ].
The bark is harvested in the autumn and winter and is dried for later use[].

The leaves are used as an antipyretic, in wound healing, as a diuretic anti inflammatory agent, and also to treat ulcers[].

Other Uses

The powerfully aromatic bark contains resinous matter and 0.64% of aromatic essential oil[].

The wood is heavy (it sinks in water) but not durable. It is used for purposes such as the interior of houses, boxes etc. It burns badly with a smell[, , , ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on the plants for at least their first winter in a cold frame. Plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Layering in early to mid spring. Takes 12 months[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 10 - 15 cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame. Approximately 60% take[].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth with a heel of older wood, late autumn in a cold frame[].