Maqui Berry Plants
In the last few years, nutritionists have added many natural fruits to their roster of supplements, such as the açai, and one of the latest berries to be added to this list is the maqui berry. Maqui berries and açai berries are both of South American origin, but their horticultural characteristics differently. Maqui berry trees are rather delicate, but the resulting crops prove to be a valuable asset to a nutritional supplement regimen.
Maqui berry plants originate in Patagonia, the region of South America consisting of the central parts of the nations of Chile and Argentina. The moist forests that are scattered throughout this region house the maqui trees; to the untrained eye, the maqui tree appears similar to the blueberry bush, just on a larger scale. With proper care and similar climatic conditions, maqui berries can be cultivated elsewhere.
The plants’ requirements are rather specific. Maqui, or Aristotelia Chilensis, prefer plenty of moisture and need a considerable amount of sun. It doesn’t tolerate harsh winters, so it is best raised in regions with no snowfall during the winters. At its largest size, maqui berry plants rise to 15 feet, or 5 meters, tall. They provide little decorative value, but the nutrition their berries provide is quite valuable.
Due to its relatively young presence in international markets, maqui berry growing resources are few and far between. Further information may be requested from Chilean and Argentinian plant exporters. Make sure to do additional research if you make the decision to cultivate your own crop of highly beneficial maqui berries.