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Luma apiculata
Luma apiculata, (Chilean Myrtle) is a species of tree in the genus Luma in the family Myrtaceae, native to the central Andes mountains between Chile and Argentina between 33 and 45 South Latitude. Synonyms include Myrtus luma Mol., Eugenia apiculata DC., Myrceugenia apiculata (DC.) Niedenzu, and Myrceugenella apiculata (DC.) Kausel. Common names include Arrayan (from a Spanish name for the related European myrtle), Kelumamull (orange-wood) (the Mapuche Native American name), Chilean Myrtle, Palo Colorado and Temu.
The Chilean Myrtle grows slowy, forming a small tree of around 10-15 m, rarely 20 m. Its trunk appears twisted and contorted and has smooth bark, coloured grey to bright orange-brown, which peels as the tree grows. It is evergreen, with small fragrant oval leaves 2-2.5 cm long and 1.5 cm broad, and profuse white flowers in early to mid summer. Its fruit is an edible black or blue berry 1 cm in diameter, ripe in early autumn.
Chilean Myrtles grow along water currents in the Valdivian temperate rain forests in Chile, while in Argentine it grows from Neuquen south to the Chubut River.
The main forests are on the Quetrihue Peninsula (Mapuche for 'myrtles') and on Isla Victoria on the Nahuel Huapi Lake, within the Los Arrayanes National Park and Nahuel Huapi National Park respectively. They can be also found in lesser number along the Arrayanes River in Los Alerces National Park. Trees in these protected areas are up to 650 years old. The notable Chilean myrtle forest of the Los Arrayanes National Park covers 20 hectares of the Quetrihue Peninsula, where the cinnamon coloured Arrayanes leave almost no space to other trees.
The Chilean myrtle has medicinal uses for the Mapuche people. It is also grown in gardens and as bonsai as a decorative plant for its glossy evergreen foliage, in beautiful contrast to the slender red stems. It has become naturalised in parts of Ireland and western Great Britain.
External links
Luma apiculata in Encyclopedia of the Chilean Flora
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Luma apiculata
