SafePlants

Embothrium coccineum: The Chilean Firebush

Embothrium coccineum, commonly known as the Chilean firebush or Chilean firetree, is a striking evergreen tree or shrub celebrated for its vibrant floral display.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant may rapidly outgrow its planting location, potentially causing issues in smaller gardens.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Embothrium coccineum J.R. Forst. & G. Forst.
• Common Names: Chilean firebush, Chilean firetree, Notro, Ciruelillo (Spanish)
• Family: Proteaceae
• Genus: Embothrium
• Species: coccineum

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to southern South America, including Chile, western Argentina, and southern Peru.
• Grows in the temperate forests of Chile and Argentina.
• Found in sheltered gardens along the Irish coast.

Morphology and Growth Habits

• Evergreen tree or shrub, sometimes described as semi-evergreen.
• Grows upright, sometimes slender.
• Can reach heights of up to 30 feet and widths of 15 feet.
• Flowers are showy, tubular, and typically orange-scarlet.
• Flowers appear in May and early June.
• Leaves are simple and sometimes described as long and leathery, with some forms exhibiting very narrow leaves (e.g., 'Lanceolatum Group').

Cultivation

• Prefers full sun to partial shade.
• Requires lime-free, deep, and well-drained soil.
• Suitable for expert gardeners due to difficulty in establishment.
• Propagation can be achieved by seed sown at 13 to 16°C in spring, or by semi-hardwood cuttings rooted with bottom heat in mid-summer.

Quirky Facts

• The Chilean Firebush possesses the ability to access various nutrients in the soil that are normally inaccessible to other plants.
• The flowers are described as so powerful and rich that onlookers might feel the need to shield themselves from their intensity.