| A tree that I planted for a client in September 2012, was sold as Luma apiculata. But it is not that tree. Thanks to Matt of Wanderlust Nursery for telling me its correct identity. Matt sells the tree: (www.WanderlustNursery.com). |
| True Luma apiculata has beautiful peeling red-brown bark. It is also called Myrtus Luma, and is native in Chile and Argentina. Its leaves are small, aromatic, evergreen and opposite. Profuse, small, puffy white flowers generate glossy black edible berries. My present subject, White Chilean Myrtle, differs from Luma apiculata mostly in its dull bark. It also has relatively slender leaves, and a marked upswept, candelabra-like growth habit. It is fertile, and makes seedlings in abundance. In the wild in Chile, the White Chilean Myrtle grows in moist or wet places. It is less freeze-tolerant than Luma apiculata, and it does not grow as large. Its common names include Chequén,and Arrayán Blanco. |
These five photos were taken over several years. On August 28th of this year, I gathered berries, put them in a jar, added Vietnamese cinnamon and brown sugar, then filled the jar with potato vodka. After it ages in the dark for three months I shall taste the liqueur.
Back
|
Luma Chequen; photo by ALJ
|
Luma Chequen; photo by ALJ
|
Luma Chequen; photo by ALJ
|
Luma Chequen; photo by ALJ
|
Luma Chequen spent flowers; photo by ALJ
|
Luma Chequen leaves and shrunk berries; photo by ALJ
|
Luma Chequen liqueur; photo by ALJ
|
