Practical
Plants

Drimys winteri

Winter's Bark

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Drimys
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
7.5 m
Spread
6 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

The sap of this plant can cause serious inflammation if it comes into contact with the eyes[4].

Edible uses

The aromatic pungent bark is powdered and used as a pepper substitute in Brazil, Chile and Argentina[9][16][20][7]. It is rich in vitamin C[12].

Product or use
Condiment

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The bark is a pungent bitter tonic herb that relieves indigestion[13]. 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[15][16][20][4][13]. It is also used as a parasiticide[15][16][20][4]. The bark is harvested in the autumn and winter and is dried for later use[13].

Product or use
Antidandruff
Product or use
Antiscorbutic
Product or use
Aromatic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Parasiticide
Product or use
Skin
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Stomachic

Material uses

The powerfully aromatic bark contains resinous matter and 0.64% of aromatic essential oil[14]. Wood - not durable, heavy (it sinks in water) - interior of houses, boxes etc. It burns badly with a smell[16][19][20][4].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Wood

Environment

Range
Southern S. America - Chile, Argentina.
Habitat
The dominant tree in moister lowland sites to Tierra Del Fuego[20]. Boggy sites by streams etc in rich soils[4].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse[10]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on the plants for at least their first winter in a cold frame. Plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Layering in March/April. Takes 12 months[21]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 10 - 15 cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Approximately 60% take[21]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth with a heel of older wood, November in a cold frame[21].

Cultivation

Requires a light lime-free soil in semi-shade[11]. Tolerates chalk in the soil[2]. Requires a deep moist soil[2]. Dislikes dry conditions[4]. Prefers a warm sandy loam with some shelter[1]. Fairly wind resistant[17][5]. Another report says that the plant resents severe wind-chill[11]. Succeeds against a wall at Kew[K] and it thrives in an open position in S.W. England[2][17][18]. Tolerates temperatures down to about -10°c[8]. This species is less hardy than D. lanceolata but it usually recovers from damage[3]. Another report says that it is hardier than D. lanceolata[10]. A very ornamental plant[2]. The sub-species D. winteri andina. Reiche. is a slow growing dwarf form seldom exceeding 1 metre in height[6]. It usually commences flowering when about 30cm tall[13]. A polymorphic species[4]. The flowers have a delicate fragrance of jasmine, whilst the bark has a powerful aromatic smell[14]. 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[4]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[10].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. ? The Plantsman. Vol. 2. 1980 - 1981. Royal Horticultural Society 1980-00-00

    ↩

  4. ? Flora of Chile. (in Spanish)

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  5. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩

  6. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  8. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩

  9. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  10. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

    ↩1↩2

  12. Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.

    ↩

  13. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  14. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  15. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

  16. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  17. Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.

    ↩1↩2

  18. Thurston. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall.

    ↩

  19. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  20. Moore. D. M. Flora of Tierra del Fuego. Anthony Nelson. 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-904614-05-0

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  21. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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