Winter's Bark

This genus contains about 30 species of evergreen, aromatic trees and shrubs, distributed from Mexico to southern S America, and from the Malay Peninsula to New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand. Drimys winteri (Winter's Bark) is the only species common in cultivation. The dwarf variety andina, which flowers when only 30cm (12in) high, is ideal for small gargens. Also grown is the closely related Tasmannia lanceolata (See, mountain pepper), formerly classified as D. lanceolata, and Australian shrub with peppery, edible leaves and berries. Drimys winteri was first described as a medicinal herb by Captain John Winter, on Sir Francis Drake's voyage round the world (1577-80); he introduced it to Europe from S America in 1578. It was apparently "very powerful against the scurvy", which was a common complaint on long voyages and caused by lack of vitamin C. The bark is no longer used for this, but is recognized as having similar effects on the digestive system to the more widely available Canella winterana (See, canella) and Cinnamomum zeylanicum (See, cinnamon). Commercial supplies of Winter's bark may also include bark from Cinnamodendron corticosum (false Winter's bark) and D. granadensis.

Upright, conical tree or shrub, with oblong-elliptic to lanceolate, glossy, pointed leaves, to 20cm (8in) long. Fragrant ivory-white flowers, 2.5cm (1in) across, with 5-7 (-11) lanceolate petals, are produced in large, loose umbels in late spring and early summer.

Common Name:	Winter's bark
Botanical Name:	Drimys winteri
Genus:	Drimys
Family:	Winteraceae
Native Location:	Chile and Argentina
Cultivation:	Moist, fertile, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. In cold areas plants need the protection of a wall or other sheltered positions.
Propagation:	By seed sown in autumn; by semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Harvest:	Bark is removed from branches in autumn and winter, and dried for powders and infusions.
Height:	15m (50ft)
:Width	10m (30ft)
Hardiness:	Z9
Parts Used:	Bark.
Properties:	A pungent, bitter, tonic herb that relieves indigestion. It resembles Acorus calamus (See, Sweet flag) in aroma.
Medicinal Uses:	Internally for indigestion and colic.
Bibliography:	Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright ©: 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pp 196-197