Common Name: Chilean Laurel

General Information

Laurelia sempervirens is an evergreen tree with a dense canopy and a usually straight bole; it can grow up to 30 metres tall, though it is often much smaller in cultivation[, , ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, food and source of materials. It is exploited on a commercial basis for its timber. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental.
This species is of some importance as a timber and is under threat from overexploitation in the north of its range. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - central and southern Chile.

Habitat

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

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
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[].
If required for its wood, it is necessary to cut the tree only when the sap is down[].
There appear to be two forms of this species. That formerly known as Laurelia serrata (now treated as a synonym) has a more southerly range and yields an inferior timber - on this form the bark is odourless and the wood has an unpleasant smell. The form with the more northerly range has an aromatic bark and the wood is odourless[].
The tree grows to immense size in the Cordilleran foothills of the south of Chile, and gradually diminishes in size as it is found north of the river Bio Bio[].
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

An infusion of the scraped or pounded wood, the leaves or the flowers can all be used to cure pains in the head which are the results of colds. The same is true, and especially for an infusion of the leaves, when treating affections of the digestive tubes, urinary organs, to combat bronchitis and as baths or lotions to strengthen the nervous system, to alleviate or moderate paralysis, to fumigate the body against spasmodic convulsions etc[, ].
A pomade made of the powdered leaves cures skin diseases[].

An infusion of the bark is used as a remedy for lockjaw, etc[].
The ground bark being placed in the cavity of a tooth stops the pain[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is yellowish-brown with greenish, grey and purplish streaks; it is not clearly defined from the uniform 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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