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Common Name: Uñi

General Information

Ugni molinae is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 2.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - Chile.

Habitat

Woodland edges and scrub[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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[], it is only hardy in the milder parts of Britain[], tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c when fully dormant[]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Plants grow and fruit very well in Cornwall, 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[, , ]. The fruit is about 15mm in diameter[] and is freely borne even on small plants[].
Leaves are a tea substitute[, ].
The roasted seeds are a coffee substitute[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Tolerant of trimming, it can be grown as a small hedge in the milder parts of Britain[].

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.