Practical
Plants

Heimia myrtifolia

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Heimia genus in the family Lythraceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Heimia
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
1.5 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

An intoxicating and euphoric drink is made by crushing the wilted leaves in water and leaving the liquid in a sunny position for three days to ferment[4]. In larger quantities this can induce hallucinations and produces a vision that is typically overcast in yellow[4]. There are no edible uses listed for Heimia myrtifolia.

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.

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

The leaves are antispasmodic, hallucinogenic and sedative[2]. An infusion serves to stabilize the blood pressure and relieve anxiety[2].

Environment

Range
S. America - Brazil to Uruguay.
Habitat
Along the sides of streams[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in spring in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle. Grow the young plants on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer. Mulch the roots well in the autumn to protect them from the cold. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[3].

Cultivation

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

Easily grown in any well-drained soil in full sun[3]. Especially in the colder areas of the country this plant is best grown against a sunny south or south-west facing wall and given a good mulch of bracken in the winter[3]. The rootstock is fairly hardy in most of Britain, whilst the top growth tolerates temperatures down to about -10 to -15°c[3]. If cut back by severe weather the plant usually grows again from the base[3]. Flowers are produced on the current seasons growth[3]. Plants growing outdoors at Kew Botanical Gardens are cut back by the cold each winter but regrow and flower each year[1]. This species is closely related to H. salicifolia, differing mainly in having smaller flowers[1]. Any pruning is best carried out in early spring by removing excess growth at the base of the plant[3].

References

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

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  2. Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-289-70864-8

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  4. Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista ISBN 0-289-70864-8 (1979-00-00)

    ↩1↩2

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