Common Name: Uñi

General Information

Ugni molinae is a much-branched, evergreen shrub that can grow up to 200cm tall[].
The plant provides a very popular wild fruit in Cile, where it is commonly harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes cultivated for its fruit, which is sold in local markets, and is often grown as an ornamental, where it can be grown as a hedge.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - central and southern Chile to southwest Argentina

Habitat

Woodland edges and scrub[, ]. Open lands, and on the edges of forests, where it forms part of the thicket[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Ugni molinae is a plant of warmer regions of the temperate zone and only tolerates fairly short-lived, light to moderate frosts. It can tolerate short periods with temperatures down to about -10°c when fully dormant[]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts.
Succeeds in any reasonably good soil including[] dry ones. Prefers a moderately fertile well-drained loam in a sunny position[, ]. Fairly tolerant of maritime exposure[]. Established plants are drought resistant[].
A very ornamental plant with fragrant flowers[].
Plants grow and fruit very well in southwest England. Indeed, in the past it has been cultivated commercially for its fruit there[, ] (it was one of Queen Victoria's favourite fruits), but is now normally only grown as an ornamental plant. This is a much underused plant that highly merits cultivation on a commercial scale for its fruit[].
Flowers and fruits well even when the plants are young[, ].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , ]. An absolutely delicious flavour, it is very aromatic and tastes of wild strawberries[, , ]. It is also used for the preparation of jams, syrups, desserts, and liquors[]. The fruit is about 7 - 15mm in diameter, containing around 10 - 27 small seeds[] and is freely borne even on small plants[].

Leaves are a tea substitute[, ].

The roasted seeds are a coffee substitute[].

The seeds containan oil with a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, including a significant content of linoleic acid, and the absence of linolenic acid. This indicates that it would be potentially
a good source of edible oil, and may constitute a good quality dietary supplement[].

Medicinal

The fruit is stimulating and refreshing[]. It is rich in antioxidants and is considered useful to ease circulation disorders and to increase visual acuity, especially at night[]. In addition, the skin of the fruit is useful for treating mouth conditions, such as thrush and stomatitis[].

The leaves contain a range of medically active compounds including tannins of the ellagitannin and gallotannin type, plus flavonols such as myricetin and quercetin. These components have potent antimicrobial and astringent properties, and the leaves are traditionally used to treat conditions such as diarrhea, dysentery, and oral infections[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Tolerant of trimming, the plant can be grown as a small hedge[].

Other Uses

The oil obtained from the seed surpasses safflower in terms of linoleic acid content (85.8% and 78.7%, respectively). Linoleic acid is an essential nutrient in the synthesis of prostaglandins, generation of cell membranes, defense mechanisms, and tissue regeneration. This suggests that murtilla oil would also represent a potential source in the manufacture of cosmetics[].

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[].
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[].
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[].
Layering.