We thought of collectors of very rare plants with the PILGERODENDRON uviferum, also called cypress of las Guaitecas (vernacular name). It is one of the most sought after plants by collectors. This conifer is native to Argentina and Chile. Its foliage is green and very thick, but does not sting. It is undoubtedly the southernmost conifer on the planet. The leaves are persistent, and the plant grows quite slowly.
How to grow PILGERODENDRON uviferum
PILGERODENDRON uviferum can withstand temperatures down to -12 °C in well-drained, wind-sheltered soil. Find a spot for it in sun or partial shade. Its very slender, vertical silhouette allows it to find its place in the middle of an already existing bed in your garden. For Bonsai lovers, it will be the jewel of your collection. This is a plant that is aimed more at experienced gardeners.
History and Origin
PILGERODENDRON uviferum belongs to the cypress family and has only one species. It is endemic to the Valdivian temperate rain forests and the Magellanic subpolar forests. It is very close to the LIBOCEDRUS of New Zealand and New Caledonia. For the plant to reproduce, it needs a male plant and a female plant. This means, it is a dioecious plant.
The wood is yellow-reddish with a very particular spicy and resinous scent. This is the reason why this wood is very resistant to fungi and highly appreciated for construction in general. The wooden constructions on the Chilean archipelago still bear witness to this. It was also used in the construction of railways, and in particular for railway sleepers. Following its overexploitation, the PILGERODENDRON uviferum is now on the CITES list (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
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