Puya chilensis

Family: Bromeliaceae

What it is like

Puya chilensis is an evergreen Perennial growing to 2 m (6ft) by 2 m (6ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower in July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Birds. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 2

Where it is found

Arid hillsides in the Andes, often spreading across large areas.

S. America - Chile.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Very young shoots are eaten in salads.

Gum: can be chewed as a chewing gum or can often be used as a sweetener or thickening agent in foods.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

A fibre from the leaves is used in making nets. A soft material obtained from the stems is used to make corks and bungs. A gum is obtained from the plant as a result of insect damage.

Cork: Including any plants used as a cork substitute. Cork is used for insulation (sound or heat), fire-retardant, bottle stops etc.

Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.

Gum: Gums have a wide range of uses, especially as stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickening agents, adhesives etc.

How it is grown

Requires a hot dry position. Requires a lime-free soil. Requires a sheltered well-drained position. This species is not very cold-hardy in Britain. However, plants can tolerate infrequent short-lived frosts down to about -5°c and can be grown outdoors in the mildest parts of the country. They are growing well at Probus Gardens in Cornwall where they survived temperatures lower than -6°c in the winter of 1995 - 6. The leaves have large, viciously hooked spines. Is the plant monocarpic? A self-sterile species, it is pollinated by birds in the wild. In cultivation, cross-pollination with P. alpestris can be effective.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring 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. Division of offsets in the spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 8-11

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

P. coarctata.