Common Name: Winter's Bark

General Information

Drimys winteri is an aromatic, evergreen shrub growing up to 7.5 metres tall.
The bark is harvested from the wild and used locally as a food flavouring, medicine and source of materials. A very ornamental plant, it is often cultivated in gardens[].

Known Hazards

The sap of this plant can cause serious inflammation if it comes into contact with the eyes[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Southern S. America - southern Chile to southwest Argentina.

Habitat

The dominant tree in moister lowland sites to Tierra Del Fuego[]. Boggy sites by streams etc in rich soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	7.50 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the temperate and subtropical zones, it is also found at higher elevations up to 3,000 metres in the tropics. Tolerates temperatures down to about -10°c[].
Requires a light lime-free soil in semi-shade[]. Tolerates chalk in the soil[]. Requires a deep moist soil[]. Dislikes dry conditions[]. Prefers a warm sandy loam with some shelter[]. Fairly wind resistant[, ]. Another report says that the plant resents severe wind-chill[].
The sub-species D. Winteri andina. Reiche. Is a slow growing dwarf form seldom exceeding 1 metre in height[]. It usually commences flowering when about 30cm tall[].
A polymorphic species[].
The flowers have a delicate fragrance of jasmine, whilst the bark has a powerful aromatic smell[].
This plant was a symbol of peace to the indigenous Indian tribes of S. America in much the same way as an olive branch was used in Greece[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

The aromatic pungent bark is powdered and used as a pepper substitute in Brazil, Chile and Argentina[, , , ]. It is rich in vitamin C[].

Medicinal

The bark is a pungent bitter tonic herb that relieves indigestion[]. It is antiscorbutic, aromatic, febrifuge, skin, stimulant and stomachic. An infusion of the bark is used in the treatment of indigestion, colic, dandruff and scurvy[, , , , ]. It is also used as a parasiticide[, , , ].
The bark is harvested in the autumn and winter and is dried for later use[].

The leaves are used as an antipyretic, in wound healing, as a diuretic anti inflammatory agent, and also to treat ulcers[].

Other Uses

The powerfully aromatic bark contains resinous matter and 0.64% of aromatic essential oil[].

Wood - not durable, heavy (it sinks in water) - interior of houses, boxes etc. It burns badly with a smell[, , , ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in pots in a nursery. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out iwhen large enough..
Layering of mature wood when the plant is dormantl. Takes 12 months[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 10 - 15 cm with a hee in a frame. Approximately 60% take[].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth with a heel of older wood[].

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: what is lesser, 17 or 71?