Ugni (unyi)

A plant under the unusual name eel or otherwise uni (Ugni molinae) is essentially a fruit shrub that belongs to the Myrtovs family. Despite the fact that its homeland is South America (mainly the territory of Argentina, in particular regions with temperate forests and a humid climate), the most extensive ugni (unya) plantations can be found in New Zealand, Mexico and Japan.

Meanwhile, the ugni (uni) is a fairly low (average 30-170 centimeters in height) evergreen shrub. This plant feels good in penumbra conditions, but with complete shading it gets sick and may even die. It is worth noting that coals (uni) can withstand frosts up to -10 ° C, and the reproduction of the plant occurs both by seeds and by the cuttings method.

Miniature leaves of the eel (unya) shrub in length reach only one to two centimeters, they are distinguished by a lanceolate or oval shape and a dark green color. A distinctive feature of eel (unya) leaves is that they have a very strong pleasant aroma, especially if you mash them or rub them between the palms. The same small flowers of eels (unya) are quite attractive - they are colored in delicate pink and have four to five petals.

The fruits of eel (unya) are berries with a diameter of up to one centimeter of spherical shape, which are distinguished by an acidic taste, but an unusually strong strawberry aroma. By the way, regarding the color of the eels (unya) berries, we can say that they can be either white or red or purple. In the Northern Hemisphere, they mature in August-October, and in the Southern much earlier - from March to May.

Mature eel (unya) berries are consumed both fresh and used to make jam, jam and jelly. In addition, in Chile, the fruits of ugni (unya) often act as a raw material for the manufacture of traditional local liqueurs. The leaves of the plant can be dried and brewed like tea, and fried seeds are quite capable of replacing coffee. It is noteworthy that one small eel bush (unya) can produce up to several kilograms of fruits per season.

It is interesting that the first ugni (uni) was described in 1782 by Juan Ignacio Molina (which determines the Latin name of the plant). Some time later (in 184

4), the English botanist and plant collector William Lobb cultivated it, presenting the fruits to the royal court. It was after this that the eel (unya) berries gained the status of those beloved by Queen Victoria.