Common Name: Chilean Laurel

General Information

Laurelia sempervirens is an evergreen tree with a dense canopy and a usually straight bole; it can grow up to 30 metres tall, though it is often much smaller in cultivation[, , ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, food and source of materials. It is exploited on a commercial basis for its timber. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental.
This species is of some importance as a timber and is under threat from overexploitation in the north of its range. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - central and southern Chile

Habitat

Mixed evergreen forests, sometimes in almost pure stands[]. Moist and wet soils in forests, deep gullies and creek beds[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Laurelia sempervirens is a tree of the sub-tropics and is not very hardy outside the milder regions of the temperate zone. It is said to tolerate temperatures down to about -5°c[], though another report says that plants have withstood temperatures down to -11°c[]. It succeeds outdoors in the mildest areas of the UK, growing well and flowering regularly in Cornwall[, ].
Succeeds in sun or semi-shade in any moderately fertile soil, including a limey soil, so long as it does not dry out in the growing season[]. Requires a warm position sheltered from cold winds[].
The foliage is very aromatic[].
If required for its wood, it is necessary to cut the tree only when the sap is down[].
There appear to be two forms of this species. That formerly known as Laurelia serrata (now treated as a synonym) has a more southerly range and yields an inferior timber - on this form the bark is odourless and the wood has an unpleasant smell. The form with the more northerly range has an aromatic bark and the wood is odourless[].
The tree grows to immense size in the Cordilleran foothills of the south of Chile, and gradually diminishes in size as it is found north of the river Bio Bio[].
Plants are often dioecious, male and female forms will need to be grown if fruit and seed is required.

Edible Uses

The bark and leaves are used as a spice[]. The fruit and the seed are used[, , , ].

Medicinal

An infusion of the scraped or pounded wood, the leaves or the flowers can all be used to cure pains in the head which are the results of colds. The same is true, and especially for an infusion of the leaves, when treating affections of the digestive tubes, urinary organs, to combat bronchitis and as baths or lotions to strengthen the nervous system, to alleviate or moderate paralysis, to fumigate the body against spasmodic convulsions etc[, ].
A pomade made of the powdered leaves cures skin diseases[].

An infusion of the bark is used as a remedy for lockjaw, etc[].
The ground bark being placed in the cavity of a tooth stops the pain[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is yellowish-brown with greenish, grey and purplish streaks; it is not distinctly demarcated from the sapwood, which is a uniform greyish-brown in colour. The grain is generally straight; texture moderately fine and even; slightly lustrous; there is no distinctive odour or taste (though another report saya that it is malodorous if cut across the grain[]); growth rings are not well defined. The wood is liable to insect attack; it has a low to medium resistance to wear; it is only durable when not exposed to the elements. It air-seasons fairly rapidly with little or no degrade. Works very easily with hand or machine tools; there is a slight blunting effect on cutting edges but a good, clean finish is obtained in most operations if thin, sharp cutting edges are used; it takes nails and screws satisfactorily - the holding power is good; glues well; stains and polishes satisfactorily; moderately good steam bending properties. It is used in construction[, , , ]
As a fuel it burns well, but gives little heat[].

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter or early spring in a warm greenhouse. Germination rates are variable[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots 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, and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their first winter or two outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, mid summer in individual pots in sandy soil in a frame. Keep them moist. Fair percentage[].
Layering in spring[].