Chilean myrtle, Honesty, Luma, Cinnamon barked myrtle
Luma apiculata

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A large shrub or small tree. It grows 6-20 m tall. It can be grown as a 3 m high hedge if trimmed. The bark is brown and flakes off. The leaves are deep olive green and glossy. They are 25 mm long. The small flowers have about 150 stamens. The fruit are small and dark purple-red. They are 1.3-1.5 cm across. They have 3 seeds.

There are 4 Luma species. They grow in Chile and Argentina. It has high antioxidant activity.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows near water with its roots in water. It can grow in light shade. It can tolerate light frost. In Argentina it grows between 500-1,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 9-10. Arboretum Tasmania. Hobart Botanical Gardens. National Arboretum Canberra.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Argentina, Australia, Britain, Chile (country/location of origin), Colombia, Europe, Scandinavia, South America, Sweden, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They are also cooked and made into jellies and juices.

Edible parts

Root, seeds, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed or from cuttings. It can be pruned and trained as a hedge.

It grows slowly.

Its other names

Local names

Arrallan, Arrayan, Colimamel, Collimamol, Collimamul, Cuthu, Kollimamul, Luma Palo colorado, Palo rojo, Quetri, Temo-temo, Temu

Synonyms

Eugenia affinis Gillies ex Hook. & Arn.; Eugenia apiculata DC.; Eugenia apiculata var. arnyan Hook.f.; Eugenia barneoudii O.Berg; Eugenia cuspidata Phil.; Eugenia ebracteata Phil.; Eugenia gilliesi Hook. & Arn.; Eugenia hookeri Steud.; Eugenia luma O.Berg; Eugenia modesta Phil.; Eugenia mucronata Phil.; Eugenia palenae Phil.; Eugenia proba O.Berg; Eugenia spectabilis Phil.; Luma cheken A.Gray; Luma cheken var. beta A.Gray; Luma cheken var. delta A.Gray; Luma cheken var. gama A.Gray; Luma gilliesi (Hook. & Arn.) Burret; Luma hookeri (Steud.) Burret; Luma spectabilis (Phil.) Burret; Myrceugenella apiculata (DC.) Kausel; Myrceugenella apiculata var. australis Kausel; Myrceugenella apiculata var. genuina Kausel; Myrceugenella apiculata var. nahuelhuapensis Kausel; Myrceugenella apiculata var. spectabilis (Phil.) Kausel; Myrceugenella grandjotii Kausel; Myrceugenia apiculata (DC.) Nied.; Myrceugenia apiculata var. australis Kausel; Myrtus chekenilla Kuntze; Myrtus chequenilla Kuntze; Myrtus reticulata var. beta Kuntze ex O.Berg;