Chilean wineberry
Aristotelia chilensis

Family: Elaeocarpaceae

What it is like

A large shrub or small tree. It grows 4.5-7 m high. The leaves are opposite and have teeth around the edge. The leaves are leathery and 10 cm long. Some leaves turn red in winter. The stems are reddish. The flowers occur in loose branched arrangements. The flowers are very small and green-white. The fruit are purple berries. They become black as they ripen. They are edible. They are 5 mm across.

There are about 5-8 Aristotelia species. They grow in southern temperate regions. The fruit are very high in Antioxidants. It probably helps people with respiratory diseases.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in forest valleys in Chile. It does not tolerate extremes of heat or cold. It needs a moist soil. It suits hardiness zones 4-9. It can grown in sun or light shade. It can tolerate drought. It is frost resistant. Mt Lofty Botanical Gardens. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Australia, Britain, Chile (country/location of origin), Egypt, Europe, France, New Zealand, North Africa, South America, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The fruit are used to produce wine. They are used for cakes and drinks. They can also be eaten fresh. The fruit are eaten raw or used to colour wines. They can be dried and stored. The fruit are cooked with sugar and diluted with water to make a drink.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed or by cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Clon, Kelon, Koelon, Macqui, Maki, Maqui, Mountain currant, Queldon

Synonyms

Aristotelia glabra Miers; Aristotelia glandulosa Ruiz. & Pav. [Illegitimate]; Aristotelia lucida Salisb.; Aristotelia macqui L'Her.; Cornus chilensis Molina;