Care of the tree Schinus latifolius or Chilean molle |
|
The genus Schinus, family Anacardiaceae, includes about 15 species of trees and shrubs native to South America. Some species are: Schinus latifolius, Schinus molle, Schinus terebinthifolius, Schinus polygamus, Schinus dependens. Common name: Chilean molle. This species is native to Chile and Argentina. They are highly branched dioecious evergreen trees or shrubs with a dense crown that reach 4 meters (13.12 feet) in height. The leaves are lanceolate or oblong, dark green in color and have a sinuate-toothed margin. The male flowers are yellowish and the female flowers are whitish. The fruits are globose purple drupes up to 5 mm (0.19") in diameter. They are used as isolated specimens, on sunny slopes, in bushy groups, and to form informal hedges. They are suitable for Mediterranean coastal gardens. Schinus latifolius grows in full sun and light shade exposures. They do not resist frost. The soil can be a mixture of normal garden soil with 25% coarse sand; they grow well in poor, well-drained soils. Water regularly waiting for the substrate to dry; they resist a few days of drought. They do not need fertilizers. It is better not to prune them but the tips of the branches can be slightly trimmed after flowering. They are plants resistant to the usual pests and diseases. They are propagated from seeds sown in spring in the nursery. |
Images of the tree Schinus latifolius or Chilean molle |
 Schinus latifolius  Schinus latifolius  Schinus latifolius  Schinus latifolius  Schinus latifolius |