Common Name: Arrayán

General Information

Myrcianthes leucoxyla is an evergreen shrub or a small tree with a dense, globose crown; it usually grows around 0.5 - 6 metres tall but can reach 10 metres occasionally[, , , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is valued locally for its edible fruit and is often cultivated in its native range, though more as an ornamental vsalued for its form and aroma than as a fruit crop[, ].
Myrcianthes leucoxyla has a wide distribution and, although its habitat is under threat in many areas, there is no evidence that the species is threatened globally. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Northern S. America - Peru, Colombia, Venezuela.

Habitat

Cloud forest and dry to very moist montane forests, growing at the forest edge and in pastures at higher elevations; at elevations between 1,600 - 3,200 metres[, , ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	3.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position, thriving in most well-drained soils. Seedlings and young plants grow best in a shady position and in a rich moist soil2157].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, ]. A delicate texture with a pleasant, sub-acid flavour[]. Somewhat suggestive of a grape[]. The dark purple fruits have a thin skin surrounding a whitish, juicy pulp[, ]. The fruit is an orange ro red, globose berry about 7 - 10mm in diameter with a single seed[, ]. Up to 25mm[].

Essential oils obtained from the leaves and fruits can be used as food flavourings[].

Medicinal

The entire plant is used to cure and alleviate different ailments. for example,
A concoction of the leaves is used to treat diarrhoea, relieve stomach pain, headache, calm the nerves and to relieve toothache[].

A concoction or an infusion of the bark is used to combat diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, as a treatment against herpes and to cure ulcers[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant has high potential as a pioneer species for re-establishing woodland - it often establishes itself in favourable micro-sites in areas of severe erosion and on rocky outcrops[].
Considered to be of high ecological importance, it is used in restoration projects in areas of severe erosion (wet spots and strips), to protect springs,etc and is planted to form natural corridors for birds etc[].

Other Uses

Essential oils obtained from the leaves and fruits can be used in cosmetic products[].

The wood is hard and durable. A good quality wood, it has been used for a variety of purposes including the manufacture of tool handles, poles, bowls, rustic doors and construction in general[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a very short viability of around 2 days after being extracted from the fruit. Fresh seed will usually germinate within 5 - 14 days of sowing[].

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