Peumo, White cryptocarya
Cryptocarya alba

Family: Lauraceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 15 m high. The flowers are green. The fruit are 1-2 cm long by 1 cm wide. The fruit are green. They turn red when ripe. There is one large seed.

There are about 350 Cryptocarya species. They grow in tropical and subtropical regions. It has free radical scavenging activity.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Chile it grows between 500-2,000 m altitude. It grows in water or with its roots attached in water. It grows on the edges of rivers and lakes. It grows in full sun. It can tolerate some shade. It suits hardiness zone 8. It can tolerate some frost and snow.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Chile (country/location of origin), South America

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten boiled in water or raw.

Edible parts

Nuts, fruit, kernels

How it is grown

It can be grown by seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Pengu, Peumu, Peunu

Synonyms

Cryptocarya laxiflora Phil.; Cryptocarya mammosa (Molina) Kosterm.; Cryptocarya peumo (Dombey ex Lam.) Kosterm.; Cryptocarya peumus Nees; Cryptocarya peumus var. laxiflora Phil.; Cryptocarya peumus var. stenantha (Phil.) Mez; Cryptocarya rubra (Molina) Skeels; Cryptocarya stenantha Phil.; Icosandra rufescens Phil.; Laurus peumo Dombey ex Lam.; Laurus peumo Ruiz & Pav.; Laurus peumus Molina; Peumus alba Molina; Peumus mammosa Molina; Peumus rubra Molina;