Closely related to Laurelia serrata[]. Another report says that Laurelia serrata is a synonym for this species[].

Common Name: Chilean Laurel

General Information

Chilean laurel is an evergreen tree growing around 15 metres tall. The bole is straight[].
The plant is sometimes gathered from the wild for local use as a spice, medicine and timber.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - Chile.

Habitat

Moist and wet soils in forests, deep gullies and creek beds[]. Mixed evergreen forests, sometimes in
almost pure stands[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Generally a sub-tropical tree, found at a latitude of around 37° south, there is a record of a plant growing in Peru at a latitude of 9° south[].
Succeeds in sun or semi-shade in any moderately fertile soil, including a limey soil, so long as it does not dry out in the growing season[]. Requires a warm position sheltered from cold winds[].
The foliage is very aromatic[].
Plants are often dioecious, male and female plants will need to be grown if fruit and seed is required.

Edible Uses

The bark and leaves are used as a spice[]. The fruit and the seed are used[, , , ].

Medicinal

Nervine, skin. It is also used in the treatment of colds, paralysis, stomach problems and VD[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is yellowish-brown with greenish, grey and purplish streaks; it is not clearly defined from theuniform greyish-brown coloured sapwood. The texture is moderately fine and even; the grain generally straight; lustre is slight; there is no apparent odour or taste. The wood is liable to insect attack; it has low to medium resistance to wear. It air-seasons fairly rapidly with little or no degrade. It works very easily with hand or machine tools; there is a slight blunting effect on cutting edges; a good, clean finish is obtained in most operations if thin, sharp cutting edges are used; it takes nails and screws satisfactorily, holding power good; it glues well; stains and polishes satisfactorily; it has moderately good steam bending properties[]. It is used in construction[].
The wood burns well but gives little heat[].

Propagation

Seed - sow February or March in a warm greenhouse. Germination rates are variable[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts, and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their first winter or two outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in individual pots in sandy soil in a frame. Keep them moist. Fair percentage[].
Layering in spring[].

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