Luma apiculata
| Luma apiculata | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 20' |
| Width: | 13' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Mid Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Luma apiculata (common name: arrayan)
Propagation: Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in late winter in a greenhouse. 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.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up in the autumn and overwinter in a cold frame. Plant out in late spring. High percentage[1].
Cuttings of mature wood, 7 - 12cm with a heel, November in a shaded and frost free frame. Plant out in late spring or early autumn. High percentage[1].
Layering.
Cultivation: Succeeds in any reasonably good soil[2] but prefers a moderately fertile well-drained loam in a sunny position[3][4].
A very ornamental plant[2], it does not succeed outside the milder areas of Britain[5] but when fully dormant it is hardy to -10°c in warm maritime gardens[6][4]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts.
This species grows well in Cornwall where it often self-sows[3][7][8][9]. Plants are fairly tolerant of maritime exposure but they dislike cold drying winds[7][9] and flower best when growing in a sheltered position.
The leaves are very aromatic[10]. The fragrant white flowers are borne in great profusion[11].
Range: S. America - Chile.
Habitat: Temperate forests[3].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[5][12][13]. A sweet flavour[2]. The flavour and texture can vary considerably from plant to plant, the best are juicy, succulent, sweet and aromatic with a delicious taste, though the fruit can be dry and almost tasteless. The fruit is usually borne abundantly in Cornwall[K]. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter[4].
Usage: Succeeds as a hedge in mild maritime areas if it is not in too exposed a position[K]. It is very tolerant of clipping.
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall-Late Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Eugenia apiculata. Myrceugenella apiculata. Myrceugenia apiculata. Myrtus apiculata. Mol. Myrtus luma.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Simmons, Alan. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles, 1972.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Arnold-Forster, William. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.
- ↑ Thurston, Edgar. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall. Cambridge University Press, 1930.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Taylor, Jane. The Milder Garden. Dent, 1990.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.