About Amomyrtus luma (Molina) D.Legrand & Kausel
Amomyrtus luma, commonly called luma, is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 25 m (80 ft) tall and reach up to 50 cm (25 in) in trunk diameter. It has smooth, decorticant bark that ranges in color from reddish to brown. Its leaves grow in opposite arrangements and are oval to oblong in shape, with an acute apex that terminates in a pointed tip up to 1 mm long. The hairy petioles are 2–4 mm long. This species can be distinguished from the closely similar Amomyrtus meli by the hairy covering of its new shoots. Its flowers are hermaphroditic, with 5 fused sepals and 5 separate white petals that are around 4 mm long. Each flower produces 30–45 numerous stamens that measure 4–5 mm long. When mature, the fruit is a black to purplish-black berry 1–1.5 cm in diameter, and it typically contains 3 seeds that are 3–4.5 mm in size. The fruits of this tree, known as cauchaos, are edible and used to make marmalade. Its extremely hard, durable wood is used for firewood. This species has been introduced and planted in Spain.
