This is only a partial list of the plants and seeds we have available. For our complete illustrated catalog send $2 ($4 international)
RARE & BENEFICIAL PLANTS FROM CHILE
We are excited to offer an increasing selection of intriguing Chilean seed carefully harvested for us from wild populations and the plants we've grown from this seed. With diverse climates ranging from desert to mediterranean to temperate to high alpine and glacial, over 50% of Chile's plants are endemics and highly adaptable to comparable environments worldwide. Many species are exceedingly rare, both in cultivation and the wild. Propagation is vital to thorough conservation. Explore the wealth of Chile's botanical heritage!
Aristotelia chilensis "Macqui"
Elaeocarpaceae. Shrub to 15'. Small white flowers, dark purple-black edible fruits with a taste similar to blueberries.
Cleared forests and lower mountain hillsides of Chile. The fruit are used for brewing wine and chicha, the leaves for
sore throats, wound healing, intestinal tumours, and as an analgesic. Easy to grow, prefers rich soil. A good food
forest plant. Z8a
Seed packet $3 Inquire for plants
Buddleja globosa "Orange Ball Butterfly Tree" "Matico"
Buddlejaceae. Semi-evergreen shrub to 10'+ tall. Green leaves with downy white undersides. Spherical clusters of
orange-yellow fragrant flowers. Gorgeous form of butterfly bush. The the flavonoid rich leaves are traditionally
used for healing wounds and the stem bark contains novel terpenes with antifungal activity. Surface sow seeds. Z7b
Seed packet $3
Calceolaria cana "Salsilla"
Scrophulariaceae. Ornamental herbaceaous perennial to 1.5'. Distinct 2 lipped flowers, small upper lip, and large
inflated pouch like lower lip, lavender in color, with white and darker purple mottling. Central Chile up to 6,000'.
Dermatological uses in ethnomedicine. Prefers cool, moist, rich soil. Surface sow seed. Z8a-b
Seed packet $3
Conanthera campanulata "Pajarito del Campo"
Tecophilaeaceae. Bulb with grass like leaves to to 12"+. Strikingly beautiful, nodding, white to blue flowers, with 6
recurved petals, 3 bearing darker splotches of blue. Central Chile. The bulb is eaten much like the Brodiaea of
California. Easy to grow, goes dormant after flowering and should be kept dry until Winter rains. Seed may need 30
days cold treatment. Z8b
Seed packet $3.50
Coriaria ruscifolia Chile "Deu"
Coriariaceae. Monotypic genus. Small shrub or bush, up to 6' tall. Arching or pendent branches lined with oval
leaflets give the plant a unique fern-like appearance. Hanging clusters of small flowers transform into necklaces of
dark purple fruits. Native to mid elevations western South America. The berries of closely related species (now
considered synonymous by some) Coriaria thymifolia, are considered a magical fruit in Ecuador and are said to
give one the feeling of flight when eaten. The whole plant including the berries are thought to be toxic so care should
be taken to educate visitors not to eat the alluring berries. The roots host bacteria that fix nitrogen in the soil. A
unique highly ornamental plant. These plants from Chilean seed are distinct from collections we've made in Peru,
having larger leaflets and dark green stems. Z9b
Seed packet $4
Plant, 2 years old $14
Eulychnea castanea
Cactaceae. Shrubby columnar cactus to about 3 tall. 4" diameter stems with up to 11 ribs. Large fuzzy areoles with
8-10 small radial spines and 1 central spine up to 4" long. 2-3" bell shaped white flowers borne along the sides of
the stems. Spiny, green edible fruits. Forms dense thickets along Chile's central coast, from Tongoy to Los Vilos.
Closely related to Trichocereus. The woody core of some Eulychnea species are used for making the musical
instruments known as rain sticks. Z9b-10a
Seed packet $2.50
Fabiana imbricata "Pichi Pichi" "Peta"
Solanaceae. A very beautiful shrub, 3-6' tall. Tiny, unusual scale like leaves. Bears hundreds of small tubular flowers,
white to pale purple in color. Superficially resembles a heather. Native to dry hillsides in southern Chile. Traditionally
used as a diuretic for kidney and urinary problems. The dried herb is burned as a ceremonial incense, and is reported
to have mild inebriating effects when inhaled. Prefers a well draining soil and full sun. Drought tolerant once
established. Cold or GA-3 helps germination. Z7b
Seed packet $3
Francoa appendiculata "Llaupangue"
Saxifragaceae. Small mounds of scalloped leaves. 2' spikes of endearing white to pink flowers with purple inner
markings. Chilean native. Used medicinally as an astringent. Prefers sun to part shade and moisture. Elegant and
easy to grow. Z7b
Seed packet $2.50
Gaultheria caespitosa "Murtillo"
Ericaceae. Miniature creeping perennial to about 1". Pink flowers and white edible berries. Native to the high
mountains of Central Chile. A choice and rare species for the rock garden. Prefers a little shade and well drained
acidic soil. Surface sow seed. Sprouts in 3-6 weeks. Z6b
Seed packet $4
Gevuina avellana "Guevin" "Nefu" "Chilean Macadamia"
Proteaceae. Ornamental rounded evergreen tree 20-30' tall. Glossy pinnate leaves up to 2' long. Panicles of creamy
white flowers followed by clusters of red fruit containing a large edible nut. Native to central and southern Chile.
The sweet, nutritious, macadamia-like nuts have been eaten by the Mapuche for thousands of years. A commercial
nut crop in Chile and more recently New Zealand. The plant needs sun, but cool moist soil, well drained and slightly
acidic. Resents too much phosphorus and benefits greatly from mycorrhizal inoculation. Z8a
6"+ seedling 2+ years old $9.50
Jovellana violaceae "Capachito"
Scrophulariaceae. Mounding subshrub 2-4' tall. Pubescent green leaves. Clusters of stunning small bell flowers,
pink with highlights of purple and yellow. A rare species endemic to central Chile. A delightful and unusual plant.
Prefers part shade and moist rich soil. Z9a
Plant 2+ years old $6.50
Lapageria rosea "Copihue" "Chilean Bell Flower"
Philesiaceae. Climbing evergreen vine to 20'+. Large 3-4" pendant bell flowers, usually a rich rose color, but
occasionally other hues. The national flower of Chile! Sweet edible fruit. Endemic to the forests of central Chile.
The fruit is sometimes brewed into a chicha by the Mapuche. The finest ornamental edible climber there is. Fairly
slow growing but easy if given a semi-shady sheltered spot, acid soil, and ample moisture. Z8a-b
Seedling, 2+ years old $12
Latua pubiflora "Latue" "Palo de Bruja"
Solanaceae. Multi-branched shrub 6-20'. Gray-green lanceolate leaves 1-3" long. Violet bell-shaped 1.5" flowers hang
from the branches, small yellowish berries. Some clones have long thorns, others are nearly thornless. A monotypic genus
endemic to limited regions of Chile. When our colleagues Rob Montgomery and Christian Ratsch first came upon this
plant in Chiloe, they literally fell to their knees in awe! Revered by the Mapuche, the plant is used for rheumatism and as
a shamanic deliriant, similar to Datura. Sun to part shade, well drained rich soil. This stunning rarity is new to cultivation,
a true horticultural gem. Germinates in 4-8 weeks. Z9b
Seed packet $7 Inquire for plants
Mutisia subulata "Flor de la granada"
Asteraceae or Compositae. Tendrilled vine 4-8'. Unusual slender petalled red or pink "daisy" flowers to 2". A rare
endemic, used for bronchitis. Z9a-b
Seed packet $2.75
Nicotiana solanifolia "Tobaco Cimarron"
Solanaceae. Rosettes of wavy paddle shaped leaves. Flowering stalks 3-5' tall with green tubular flowers. A rare
and unusual tobacco found only in rocky areas in the fog belt of coastal northern Chile. New to cultivation. Z10a?
Seed packet $4
Pernettya furens "Hued-hued" "Hierba Loca"
Ericaceae. Evergreen shrublet 1-2' in height. White bell flowers and red berries. Endemic to southern Chile. The
fruits are reported to cause intoxication and delirium when eaten, in excess, a permanent condition of insanity may
be induced. Grow like Gaultheria. Z7a
Seed packet $3
Plant 2+ years old $6.50
Puya berteroniana "Chawal"
Bromeliaceae. Forms large rosettes of long, narrow, recurved, gray-green leaves. Huge club like flower stalks up to
9'+ bear a multitude of spectacular dark aquamarine flowers. Central Chilean Andes up to 7,000'. An important food
of endangered wild chinchillas. Prefers a bright spot, cooler temperatures, and is very drought tolerant. Sprout like
cacti. Z8b
Seed packet $3
2"+ plant 2+ years old $6.50
Rhaphithamnus spinosus
Verbenaceae. Unusual and alluring shrub 5 to 20'. Young branches are spiny and it boasts a generous profusion of
tubular lavender flowers followed by glossy purple fruits that are edible and said to be quite tasty. The foliage turns
an inciting purple during Winter. Part shade to sun. Cold may improve germination. Z7b
Seed packet $4
Ribes cucullatum "Zarzaparilla" "Chilean Current"
Rosaceae or Grossulariaceae. Low shrub to 2', reddish flowers, clusters of black edible berries. Native to the hills
and mountains of central Chile, up to 10,000. The Mapuche relish the fruit and use the root as a blood cleanser. A
new addition for the edible landscape. Grow like a currant. Cold stratify seed. Z7a
Seed packet $3
Plant 2 years old $7.50
Ugni molinae "Unu" "Murtillo" "Chilean Guava"
Myrtaceae. Ornamental evergreen shrub to 6'. Cup-shaped fragrant white-pink flowers and 1/3" rose-purple edible
berries. Southern Chile. The fruit has a particularly delicious flavor, being aromatic and sweet. The leaves are rich
in antioxidants, the Mapuche make a analgesic tea from them and brew chicha from the fruit. The roasted seeds are
a coffee substitute. Ugni candollei is used to induce dreaming. Commercially cultivated in Chile for the fruits, it was
popular in 1800s England, Queen Victoria's favorite fruit! Does excellent here in northern California. Dislikes
alkaline soil, but is very easy to grow. Sun to half shade, drought tolerant when established. Can be trimmed as a
hedge. Deserves wide cultivation. Higher germination with 30 days cold. Z8a
Seed packet $3
Plant 2+ years old $6.50