Myrtus lechleriana (Chilean Myrtle)
Botanical Information
Family | Myrtaceae |
Genus | Myrtus |
Species | lechleriana |
Category | Tropicals, Woody |
Type | Tree (evergreen), Shrub (evergreen) |
Origin | Native to Chile and Argentina. |
Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | Berries are edible and may be eaten raw, but are at best moderately tasteful. Dried flowers, leaves, fruits, and even the wood are used to flavour foods. |
Details
USDA Hardiness Zone | 8 - 10 |
USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cold season protection under glass. |
Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
RHS Hardiness Zone | H2 - H5 |
RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
Temperature (°C) | -12- 4 |
Temperature (°F) | 10 - 40 |
Height | 4-8 metres |
Spread | 2.5-4 metres |
Growth | Medium |
Flowering Period | July, August |
Description and Growing Information
General Description | A large shrub or multi-stemmed tree with attractive, flaking bark and aromatic, evergreen foliage. |
ID Characteristic | A sturdy ornamental shrub, blooms are white in the summer and produces edible berries in autumn. |
Shape | A dense shrub or tree that can easily be trained to different forms. |
Landscape | A low maintenance ornamental shrub or small tree, it can be used as an informal hedge. |
Propagation | By seed sown in containers in a cold frame in spring, or by semi-ripe cuttings rooted with gentle bottom heat in late summer. |
Cultivation | Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in a sunny position sheltered from cold, drying wind. |
Pests | Generally pest and disease free. |
Notable Specimens | Trengwainton Garden, Madron, near Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom. |
Habitat | Rainforests, near streams, and in other moist sites. |
Bark/Stem Description | A multi-stemmed plant. |
Flower/Leaf Bud Description | The buds are small and insignificant. |
Leaf Description | Leaves are elliptical or ovate, up to 5 cm long. |
Flower Description | Clusters of small, fragrant, five-petalled flowers with long stamens. |
Fruit Description | Edible, aromatic berries, red at first turning black. |
Colour Description | The bark is light brown or grey. Leaves are dark green. Flowers are white. When ripe, berries are purple to blue-black. |