Mountain Pepper (Drimys lanceolata)

Family: Winteraceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Drimys lanceolata is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4.5 m (14ft) by 2.5 m (8ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). .

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries, Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

pungent flavour. — The fruit and seed are used as a pepper and allspice substitute.; A pungent flavour.; The aromatic berries are edible according to one report, whilst another says that they taste somewhat like cinnamon.

Habitat & North American Range

Moist places in mountain forests and also in alpine zones to 1500 metres. (Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)