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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Azorella diapensioides is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) at a slow rate.It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fuel

Yields a fuel which is virtually smokeless - it is used domestically and commercially[61]. It is only used for firewood because it grows in regions where easier to use fuel crops won't grow. As a result it has become extinct over much of its former range, but it is still common in some of the high altitude national parks in the northern half of Chile (eg, PN Lauca)[281].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a position in full sun in a well-drained gritty soil[200]. Llareta is a woody shrub with tiny tough leaves, in a rounded cushion form of such tight construction that it is frequently mistaken for a moss-covered rock, even on close inspection[281]. In its natural habitat, it tolerates very wide daily temperature swings (at least -25C to +25C), but it probably also requires the dry air and high light intensity of its natural habitat if it is to thrive[281]. It is a very slow growing plant, figures of just 20mm new growth per year have been quoted, so larger specimens of 1 metre or more must be around a century old[281].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing the seed in late winter in a cold frame. Grow on for at least the first winter in a greenhouse or frame and plant out in late spring. Division.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Azorella caespitosa	Perennial	0.2	-	L	N	DM	2	1	1
Azorella filamentosa	Perennial	0.2	-	L	N	DM	1	0
Azorella fuegiana	Perennial	0.1	-	L	N	DM	1	0
Azorella lycopodioides	Perennial	0.3	-	L	N	DM	1	0
Azorella selago	Perennial	0.6	-	L	N	DM	1	0
Azorella trifurcata	Perennial	0.1	-	L	N	DM	1	0
Azorella yareta	Perennial	0.0	-	L	N	DM	0	0	1

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Expert comment

Author

A.Gray.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment


ivan viehoff	Fri Sep 26 11:24:06 2003

Llareta (as usually spelled) is a woody shrub with tiny tough leaves, in a rounded cushion form of such tight construction that it is frequently mistaken for a moss-covered rock, even on close inspection. Not typical for an umbellifer. Habitat is rocky slopes at high altitude (generally around 3,500m-4,500m) in areas of low rainfall, but generally found in locations where there is some water seepage. Its range extends over a considerable area of the high Andes from Peru to central Chile. It is used for firewood, because it grows in regions where fuel crops won't grow. As a result it has become extinct over much of its former range, but it is still common in some of the high altitude national parks in the northern half of Chile (eg, PN Lauca). It tolerates very wide daily temperature swings (at least -25C to +25C), but probably requires the dry air and high light intensity of its natural habitat. It is very slow growing, I have seen 20mm per year quoted, so larger (1m+) specimens must be around a century old. I never saw it in cultivation, not even in botanical collections.

Azorella diapensioides - A.Gray.