Laurelia sempervirens
| Laurelia sempervirens | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 49' |
| Width: | 49' |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Laurelia sempervirens (common name: chilean laurel)
Propagation: Seed - sow February or March in a warm greenhouse. Germination rates are variable[1]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts, and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their first winter or two outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in individual pots in sandy soil in a frame. Keep them moist. Fair percentage[1].
Layering in spring[1].
Cultivation: Succeeds in sun or semi-shade in any moderately fertile soil, including a limey soil, so long as it does not dry out in the growing season[2]. Requires a warm position sheltered from cold winds[2].
This species is not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[2]. It succeeds outdoors in the mildest areas of the country[3], growing well and flowering regularly in Cornwall[4][5]. Another report says that plants have withstood temperatures down to -11°c[6].
The foliage is very aromatic[7].
Closely related to L. serrata[8]. Another report says that L. serrata is a synonym for this species[2].
Plants are often dioecious, male and female plants will need to be grown if fruit and seed is required.
Range: S. America - Chile.
Habitat: Moist and wet soils in forests, deep gullies and creek beds[2].
Edibility: The bark and leaves are used as a spice[9]. The fruit and the seed are used[10][11][12][13].
Medicinal: Nervine, skin. It is also used in the treatment of colds, paralysis, stomach problems and VD[14].
Usage: Wood - not durable, malodorous if cut across the grain. Used in construction[14]. It burns well but gives little heat[14].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Dioecious
Also Known As: L. aromatica. non Poir. L. serrata.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Thurston, Edgar. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall. Cambridge University Press, 1930.
- ↑ RHS. The Garden Volume 111. Royal Horticultural Society, 1986.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Reiche, Karl. Flora de Chile.