ARRAYAN LUMA APICULATA

Arrayán (Palo Colorado), is an evergreen tree that reaches heights of 12 to 14 m in southern Chile. In the central zone it grows as a bush. It has a very striking appearance and a high ornamental value due to the original color and shape of its trunk as well as its foliage, flowers and fruits. Its trunk acquires an intense brick red color, its bark being very smooth and silky, with white spots due to the fall of old bark plates. Its leaves, 1 to 2 cm long, are dark green, small, oval, coriaceous and aromatic, shiny on the upper side and pale green on the underside; they have a mucron at the apex and their rim is entire. Its white flowers appear gathered in groups of 3 to 5, spring to autumn.

The edible fruit is a rounded black berry that ripens in autumn. Its growth rate is medium in soils with nutrients and good drainage. Tolerates neutral to acid pH.

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Myrtle wood is very hard and compact and provides important uses. It is used to make tool handles and as firewood.

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In medicine, bayberry is used as a balsamic and vulnerary (medicine: heals sores and wounds), astringent and stimulant. Its external use is done through washings with decoction, to clean wounds and infected ulcers.