Author
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Finn, Chad |
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Submitted to: Encyclopedia of Fruits and Nuts
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 2/19/2007 Publication Date: 2/1/2008 Citation: Finn, C.E. 2008. Aristotelia chilensis, Maqui. In: Janick, J. and Paull, R.E., editors. The Encylopedia of Fruits and Nuts. Cambridge, MA. CABI. p. 345. Interpretive Summary: The Encylopedia of Fruit and Nuts is designed as a research reference source on temperate and tropical fruit and nut crops. Maqui or Macqui (Aristotelia chilensis [Mol.] Stuntz, Elaeocarpaceae) is a shrub or small tree native to Chile and Argentina in South America. The plant typically grows as an evergreen shrub that is 3-4 m tall. The leaves are ovate to lanceolate, 3-15 cm long, 1-5 cm wide, with a serrated leaf margin and are a glossy dark green color. The midvein and petiole are often reddish especially in young leaves. The plant is most commonly found in Andean foothills in fertile, slightly acidic, well-drained soils with good soil moisture. Macqui is an early colonizer after forest timber is harvested. Maqui is dioecious and therefore plants produce either staminate or pistillate flowers. The yellowish-green flowers are borne in terminal clusters and open in late spring or early summer. The flowers are insect pollinated. The small (5-6 mm) black fruit ripen in late summer to early fall. The fruit are pleasant to eat fresh or dried. Large quantities of fruit are wild harvested for fresh market sales. Technical Abstract: The Encylopedia of Fruit and Nuts is designed as a research reference source on temperate and tropical fruit and nut crops. Maqui or Macqui (Aristotelia chilensis [Mol.] Stuntz, Elaeocarpaceae) is a shrub or small tree native to Chile and Argentina in South America. The plant typically grows as an evergreen shrub that is 3-4 m tall. The leaves are ovate to lanceolate, 3-15 cm long, 1-5 cm wide, with a serrated leaf margin and are a glossy dark green color. The midvein and petiole are often reddish especially in young leaves. T he plant is most commonly found in Andean foothills in fertile, slightly acidic, well-drained soils with good soil moisture. Macqui is an early colonizer after forest timber is harvested. Maqui is dioecious and therefore plants produce either staminate or pistillate flowers. The yellowish-green flowers are borne in terminal clusters and open in late spring or early summer. The flowers are insect pollinated. The small (5-6 mm) black fruit ripen in late summer to early fall. The fruit are pleasant to eat fresh or dried. Large quantities of fruit are wild harvested for fresh market sales. |
