Myrtus lechleriana (Chilean Myrtle)
Botanical Information
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Genus | Myrtus |
| Species | lechleriana |
| Category | Tropicals, Woody |
| Type | Tree (evergreen), Shrub (evergreen) |
| Origin | Native to Chile and Argentina. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | Berries are edible and may be eaten raw, but are at best moderately tasteful. Dried flowers, leaves, fruits, and even the wood are used to flavour foods. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8 - 10 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cold season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H2 - H5 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -12- 4 |
| Temperature (°F) | 10 - 40 |
| Height | 4-8 metres |
| Spread | 2.5-4 metres |
| Growth | Medium |
| Flowering Period | July, August |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | A large shrub or multi-stemmed tree with attractive, flaking bark and aromatic, evergreen foliage. |
| ID Characteristic | A sturdy ornamental shrub, blooms are white in the summer and produces edible berries in autumn. |
| Shape | A dense shrub or tree that can easily be trained to different forms. |
| Landscape | A low maintenance ornamental shrub or small tree, it can be used as an informal hedge. |
| Propagation | By seed sown in containers in a cold frame in spring, or by semi-ripe cuttings rooted with gentle bottom heat in late summer. |
| Cultivation | Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in a sunny position sheltered from cold, drying wind. |
| Pests | Generally pest and disease free. |
| Notable Specimens | Trengwainton Garden, Madron, near Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom. |
| Habitat | Rainforests, near streams, and in other moist sites. |
| Bark/Stem Description | A multi-stemmed plant. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | The buds are small and insignificant. |
| Leaf Description | Leaves are elliptical or ovate, up to 5 cm long. |
| Flower Description | Clusters of small, fragrant, five-petalled flowers with long stamens. |
| Fruit Description | Edible, aromatic berries, red at first turning black. |
| Colour Description | The bark is light brown or grey. Leaves are dark green. Flowers are white. When ripe, berries are purple to blue-black. |
Photographs
Myrtus lechleriana, form, Trengwainton Garden, Madron, near Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Myrtus lechleriana, leaf, Trengwainton Garden, Madron, near Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Myrtus lechleriana, flower, Trengwainton Garden, Madron, near Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Myrtus lechleriana, flower, Trengwainton Garden, Madron, near Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Myrtus lechleriana, bark, Trengwainton Garden, Madron, near Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom.