Practical
Plants

Eucryphia cordifolia

Ulmo

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Eucryphia genus in the family Eucryphiaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
20 m
Spread
8 m
Fertility
Bees, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Insects

Uses

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The bark is a source of tannin[8][3]. Wood - strong, hard, very close grained. Used for furniture, flooring, oars etc. Very good quality, though it is not as good as Fitzroya spp[3]. It makes a very good fuel and is a source of charcoal[3].

Product or use
Charcoal
Product or use
Fuel
Product or use
Tannin
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
S. America - C. Chile.
Habitat
Cool rainforests at low altitudes[6] in Arauco and Chiloe provinces, especially in the hills of La Costa[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow February in a greenhouse. The seed should be stored cool and dry over the winter. Germination is usually good[10]. 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. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 6 - 8cm with a heel, June/July in individual pots in a frame. Roots in 5 - 6 weeks. A variable percentage succeed[10]. Layering in late summer. Takes 16 months. High percentage[10].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in any well-drained open loamy soil[1][2]. It is quite tolerant of chalky soils[6] but prefers an acid humus-rich soil[5][7]. Prefers to have its roots in the shade but its canopy in the sun[4][7]. This species only really thrives in cool moist maritime climates, tolerating temperatures down to -10°c[6]. It succeeds outdoors in Britain in Sussex and south and west from there[2]. Plants rarely exceed 10 metres in height in cultivation in Britain. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[7]. A good bee plant[8][9][3].

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. ? Flora of Chile. (in Spanish)

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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