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Heimia myrtifolia - Cham.&Schlecht.

Common Name
Family Lythraceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Along the sides of streams[192].
Range S. America - Brazil to Uruguay.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Heimia myrtifolia


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Heimia myrtifolia

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Heimia myrtifolia is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

An intoxicating and euphoric drink is made by crushing the wilted leaves in water and leaving the liquid in a sunny position for three days to ferment[192]. In larger quantities this can induce hallucinations and produces a vision that is typically overcast in yellow[192].

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.


The leaves are antispasmodic, hallucinogenic and sedative[192]. An infusion serves to stabilize the blood pressure and relieve anxiety[192].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in any well-drained soil in full sun[200]. Especially in the colder areas of the country this plant is best grown against a sunny south or south-west facing wall and given a good mulch of bracken in the winter[200]. The rootstock is fairly hardy in most of Britain, whilst the top growth tolerates temperatures down to about -10 to -15°c[200]. If cut back by severe weather the plant usually grows again from the base[200]. Flowers are produced on the current seasons growth[200]. Plants growing outdoors at Kew Botanical Gardens are cut back by the cold each winter but regrow and flower each year[11]. This species is closely related to H. salicifolia, differing mainly in having smaller flowers[11]. Any pruning is best carried out in early spring by removing excess growth at the base of the plant[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

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 - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in spring in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle. Grow the young plants on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer. Mulch the roots well in the autumn to protect them from the cold. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

SOUTHERN AMERICA: Brazil (Minas Gerais, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, São Paulo), Argentina (Entre Ríos, Misiones), Paraguay (Alto Paraná, Itapúa), Uruguay (Artigas, Cerro Largo, Maldonado, Rocha, Tacuarembó, Treinta y Tres)

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
Heimia salicifoliaErva De Vida, Shrubby yellowcrestShrub3.0 7-10  LMHNM11 

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

Cham.&Schlecht.

Botanical References

11

Links / References

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