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Peumus boldus
  • Boldu

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Peumus genus in the family Monimiaceae.

Peumus boldus raceme 11.jpg
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral
    Acid to Neutral
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 9
    Zone 9
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Peumus boldus has 2 edible uses listed
Peumus boldus has 6 material uses listed
Peumus boldus has 7 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The leaves contain a toxic alkaloid[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[2][3][4]. Sweet and aromatic with an agreeable flavour[3][5]. The fruit is up to 2cm in diameter[3]. The leaves and bark are used as a condiment[6].

Unknown part

Condiment

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

The bark is a source of tannin and is also used as a dye[2][1][7].

A deliciously fragrant essential oil is obtained from the leaves[8]. The dried and powdered leaves are scattered amongst clothes to sweeten them and repel insects[8]. The small fruits are dried and used as beads in necklaces[8]. When warmed by the body or the sun they release the scent of cinnamon[8].

The wood is used for making charcoal[1].

Unknown part

Beads
Charcoal
Dye
Essential
Repellent
Tannin

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

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[9]. It is normally taken for only a few weeks at a time, either as an infusion or as a tincture[9]. It is often combined with other herbs such as Berberis vulgaris or Chionanthus virginicus in the treatment of gallstones[9].

The leaves are analgesic, antiseptic (urinary), bitter, cholagogue, diuretic, stimulant and tonic[1][10][11][12]. They are considered a valuable cure for gonorrhoea in S. America[1]. 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[7]. It has been used in the past as a substitute for quinine in the treatment of malaria[7]. The leaves are harvested during the growing season and are dried for later use[7]. Some caution is advised, the plant should not be used by pregnant women[9]. See also the notes above on toxicity. A volatile oil obtained from the plant destroys internal parasites[7].

Alkaloids contained in the bark are a stimulant for the liver[7].

Unknown part

Analgesic
Antiseptic
Bitter
Cholagogue
Diuretic
Stimulant
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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[13]. Grow the cuttings on in the frame or greenhouse for at least their first winter.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Peumus boldus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



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 )

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

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.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Peumus boldus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Peumus boldus
Genus
Peumus
Family
Monimiaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][3][4][5][6]
Medicinal uses
[9][1][10][11][12][7]
Material uses & Functions
[2][1][7][8]
Botanic
[13]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
  • Unknown part (Condiment)
  • Fruit (Unknown use)
Material uses
  • Unknown part (Beads)
  • Unknown part (Charcoal)
  • Unknown part (Dye)
  • Unknown part (Essential)
  • Unknown part (Repellent)
  • Unknown part (Tannin)
Medicinal uses
  • Unknown part (Analgesic)
  • Unknown part (Antiseptic)
  • Unknown part (Bitter)
  • Unknown part (Cholagogue)
  • Unknown part (Diuretic)
  • Unknown part (Stimulant)
  • Unknown part (Tonic)
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
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
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    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

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.6 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    7. ? 7.007.017.027.037.047.057.067.077.087.097.10 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.6 Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.4 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    12. ? 12.012.1 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)
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)


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