Description
Luma –
There are 4 species of evergreen shrubs and small trees in this genus. They occur in woodland in Chile and Argentina. They are mainly grown for their aromatic, small, leathery, pointed, oval, deep green leaves, held in opposite pairs, and their axillary, 4 or 5 petalled, cup shaped, white flowers with a central mass of stamens that open in spring and early summer followed by dark berries.. L. apiculata is also grown for its reddish brown flaking bark which reveal white to pink new bark. Grow as a lawn specimen or in small groups. They may also be used for hedging.
Grow in fertile, ideally humus rich, well drained soil in full sun or light shade.
L. chequen – Myrtus chequen – Chequen – This upright shrub or small tree from Chile grows 20′ feet tall and 15′ feet wide. It produces broadly elliptic or broadly ovate, wavy edged, aromatic, dark green leaves, to 1″ long. The bark is gray brown. In late summer and early autumn it bears cup shaped, 4 or 5 petaled white flowers, ½” across, are held singly or in 3 flowered cymes, followed by spherical black berries.
Zones 9-10
