Peumus boldus
Boldu
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Peumus genus in the family Monimiaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Monimiaceae
- Genus
- Peumus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- slow
- Height
- 6 m
- Fertility
- self sterile
- Flower type
- dioecious
- Pollinators
- Insects
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.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves contain a toxic alkaloid[12].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked[1][6][3]. Sweet and aromatic with an agreeable flavour[6][5]. The fruit is up to 2cm in diameter[6]. The leaves and bark are used as a condiment[4].
- Product or use
- Condiment
- Plant part
- Fruit
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.
Boldu is a traditional remedy used by the Araucanian Indians of Chile as a tonic. The plant stimulates liver activity and bile flow and is chiefly valued as a remedy for gallstones and liver or gallbladder pain[11]. It is normally taken for only a few weeks at a time, either as an infusion or as a tincture[11]. It is often combined with other herbs such as Berberis vulgaris or Chionanthus virginicus in the treatment of gallstones[11]. The leaves are analgesic, antiseptic (urinary), bitter, cholagogue, diuretic, stimulant and tonic[12][13][2][8]. They are considered a valuable cure for gonorrhoea in S. America[12]. The plant is taken internally in the treatment of liver disease (though the bark is more effective here), gallstones, urinary tract infections, intestinal parasites and rheumatism[9]. It has been used in the past as a substitute for quinine in the treatment of malaria[9]. The leaves are harvested during the growing season and are dried for later use[9]. Some caution is advised, the plant should not be used by pregnant women[11]. See also the notes above on toxicity. A volatile oil obtained from the plant destroys internal parasites[9]. Alkaloids contained in the bark are a stimulant for the liver[9].
- Product or use
- Analgesic
- Product or use
- Antiseptic
- Product or use
- Bitter
- Product or use
- Cholagogue
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Stimulant
- Product or use
- Tonic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The bark is a source of tannin and is also used as a dye[1][12][9]. A deliciously fragrant essential oil is obtained from the leaves[10]. The dried and powdered leaves are scattered amongst clothes to sweeten them and repel insects[10]. The small fruits are dried and used as beads in necklaces[10]. When warmed by the body or the sun they release the scent of cinnamon[10]. The wood is used for making charcoal[12].
- Product or use
- Beads
- Product or use
- Charcoal
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Essential
- Product or use
- Repellent
- Product or use
- Tannin
Environment
- Range
- S. America - Chile.
- Habitat
- Dry sunny slopes in lightly wooded country[2].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 9+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in a warm greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and give them some protection from winter cold for at least their first winter or two outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[7]. Grow the cuttings on in the frame or greenhouse for at least their first winter.
Cultivation
It is growing well on my allotment in Hampshire, stony soil over chalk, and the bit of ground it is on didn't get any organic matter for several years and is fairly dry in summer but I suppose it hasn't dried out this year due to high rainfall. It is in full sun and is flowering it's heart out now; quite a pretty ground cover. ( Mid May )
There are no interactions listed for Peumus boldus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
There are no polycultures listed which include Peumus boldus.
None listed.
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
Taxonomy
Binomial name
Peumus boldus
Genus
Peumus
Family
Monimiaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Uses
Material uses
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Hardiness Zone
9
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
Adapted Climate Zones
Native Geographical Range
Native Environment
Ecosystem Niche
Root Zone Tendancy
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
slow
Mature Size
6 x meters
Fertility
self sterile
Pollinators
Insects
Flower Colour
Flower Type
dioecious
{#set:Has binomial name=Peumus boldus
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent (1990-00-00)
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. ISBN 0-486-22642-5 (1970-00-00)
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)