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Heimia myrtifolia

Common name:		Family:	Lythraceae
Author:	Cham.&Schlecht.	Botanical references:	11
Synonyms:
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	S. America - Brazil to Uruguay.
Habitat:	Along the sides of streams[192].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	1	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	1

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	Nesaea myrtifolia[G]
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	myrtifolia = Myrtus leaved;
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Myrtales. Loosestrife family

Physical Characteristics

A decidious shrub growing to 1.5m. It is hardy to zone 8. It is in flower from August to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). We rate it 1/5 for edibility and 1/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade.

Edible Uses

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[192]. In larger quantities this can induce hallucinations and produces a vision that is typically overcast in yellow[192].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

The leaves are antispasmodic, hallucinogenic and sedative[192]. An infusion serves to stabilize the blood pressure and relieve anxiety[192].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Easily grown in any well-drained soil in full sun[200]. 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[200].
The rootstock is fairly hardy in most of Britain, whilst the top growth tolerates temperatures down to about -10 to -15°c[200]. If cut back by severe weather the plant usually grows again from the base[200]. Flowers are produced on the current seasons growth[200]. Plants growing outdoors at Kew Botanical Gardens are cut back by the cold each winter but regrow and flower each year[11].
This species is closely related to H. salicifolia, differing mainly in having smaller flowers[11].
Any pruning is best carried out in early spring by removing excess growth at the base of the plant[200].

Propagation

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[200].

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for the family Lythraceae.

To be included in the Flora of China.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[192] Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista 1979 ISBN 0-289-70864-8
A lot of details about the history, chemistry and use of narcotic plants, including hallucinogens, stimulants, inebriants and hypnotics.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963

This page (UK) http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Heimia+myrtifolia
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We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest.