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INTRODUCTION

This is a medicinal and edible plant which is very common in many parts of Chile. The seeds were used for brewing wine and chicha, a Chilean alcoholic bevearage, or can be eaten raw, and the leaves were used to prepare an infusion for treating sore throat and for wound dressing. It germinates and grows very easily and fast, is not very demanding about the soil, but prefers rather rich soils with lots of humidity, is somewhat hardy (frost and short snowcover are OK).

Image of Aristotelia chilensis

VII Region, Pelarco, Libueno, Chile
Altitude: 350 m. 01 11, 2006

DESCRIPTION

Plant type: Tree

Flower: White, without information on the number of petals

Height: 5 m.

Image of Aristotelia chilensis

VII Region, Pelarco, Libueno, Chile
Altitude: 340 m. 10 16, 2006

HABITAT

In Chile this species grows in the following environmental conditions:

Habitat according to altitude:

Medium altitude up to the timber line
Low altitude, interior valleys
Coastal mountains, 500 - 2000 m.
Coastal areas, 0 - 500 m

Watering conditions:

Somewhat dry areas where the drought may last 3 - 5 months. Precipitations of 400 - 800 mm. are concentrated in winter.
Humid areas, with almost constant rainfall. Short dry periods are possible (generally not longer than 1 month).

Light conditions:

Fully exposed to the sun. Level areas or slopes facing north.
Some shadow. Some protection against direct sunlight, some shadow from vegetation, filtering about 20 - 40 % of light.

Image of Aristotelia chilensis

VII Region, Las Lomas, Chile
Altitude: 400-600 m. 12 28, 2005

USES

Some ornamental value (B)

Useful properties:

Medicinal
Edible plant

Image of Aristotelia chilensis

VII Region, Pelarco, Libueno, Chile
Altitude: 340 m. 10 16, 2006

GROWING TIPS

This species has the following hardiness:

USDA Hardiness Zone 9. The plant does not tolerate snow, but can tolerate occasional freezing spells of about - 5° C (the typical morning frost of central Chile).

Relatively easy to cultivate

If you are interested in purchasing seeds of this or similar species, please go to our On-line Seeds Shop.

More photos (18) of Aristotelia chilensis (Molina) Stuntz available here

More species from the same Elaeocarpaceae family in our data base:

Aristotelia chilensis (Maqui)

Crinodendron patagua (Patagua)