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Aristotelia chilensis - (Molina.)Stuntz.

Common Name Macqui
Family Elaeocarpaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats A weedy shrub of cleared forests and waste ground, growing in damp humus rich soils on lower mountain hillsides by rivers between latitudes 31 and 40° south[139].
Range S. America - Chile, Argentina.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Aristotelia chilensis Macqui


(c) 2010 Ken Fern & Plants For A Future
Aristotelia chilensis Macqui

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Aristotelia chilensis is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 5 m (16ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Bees, insects. The plant is not self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

A. macqui. Cornus chilensis

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or dried for winter use[11, 22, 46, 61, 97]. A pleasant taste somewhat like bilberries[2]. The fruit is rather small, about 6mm in diameter[200].

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.
Astringent  Febrifuge  Poultice

A wine made from the fruit is said to have medicinal properties[11]. The plant (the exact part is not specified) is astringent, febrifuge and poultice. It is used in the treatment of throat infections and intestinal tumours[139].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a slightly acid, moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from cold drying winds[200]. Plants are fairly tolerant of maritime exposure[K]. This species is only hardy in the milder and moister areas of Britain[182] and even there can be cut back in severe winters[K]. If the plants are cut back by winter frosts, they normally put up a crowd of vigorous shoots in the spring and these will need thinning[219]. The fruits are freely produced in S.W. England[11]. There is a very good plant at Rosehill near Falmouth[59]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[59]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required[182].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Once the plants are at least 20cm tall, plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[11]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth in early winter[1]. Take cuttings 15 - 30cm long and plant them in pots or the open soil in a greenhouse. They normally root very easily and can be potted up in early summer then planted out late the following spring[K].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Clon, Koelon, Macqui,

Native Range

SOUTHERN AMERICA: Chile (Biobío, Coquimbo, Maule, Libertador General Bernardo O Higgins, Región Metropolitana de Santiago, Valparaíso, La Araucanía, Los Lagos)

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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Aristotelia serrata Tree7.5 7-10  LMHSNM312

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

(Molina.)Stuntz.

Botanical References

11139200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Paul Barney   Wed Dec 30 2009

I have found this plant not only to self-fertile but very hardy. It self-seeds readily and the birds love the fruit.

kevin   Thu Jan 21 2010

how many yrs till they fruit? how much fruit is produced per plant

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Subject : Aristotelia chilensis  
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