Desfontainia spinosa aka Taique

Desfontainia spinosa is an evergreen shrub in the Columelliaceae family. Its common names include taique and Chilean false holly. Sources differ on the limits of its native range. Kew places it in Peru’s eastern Andes. Plants For A Future lists both Peru and Chile. That source describes cool mountain cloud forests in the north. Farther south, it reports habitats down to sea level. These accounts link the plant with cool forest settings.

In gardens, it reaches about 5–8 feet [1.5–2.5 metres]. Its spread falls within the same range. Growth is slow, with full size taking 10–20 years. RHS describes an upright shrub with a bushy habit. Chicago Botanic Garden records a rounded shape. Small, dark green leaves stay on the plant year-round. Their spiny edges give them a holly-like look. The foliage provides lasting structure when flowers are absent.

The flowers are bright scarlet with yellow lobe tips. They reach about 0.13 feet [0.04 metres] in length. Chicago Botanic Garden also records orange among the flower colours. Its bloom calendar runs from July through October. This gives the shrub interest in summer and autumn. Chicago lists it as a plant that attracts birds. That record does not identify the birds or their role. It therefore does not establish how the flowers receive pollen.

RHS recommends partial shade and a site with shelter. Chicago also lists full sun as a suitable exposure. Give it humus-rich soil that holds moisture but drains well. RHS names clay, loam and sand as suitable soil types. Its growing advice calls for soil free from lime. This conflicts with its separate listing of acid or alkaline soil. RHS assigns the plant a UK hardiness rating of H4. Chicago lists USDA zones 8–9. Seed and semi-hardwood cuttings offer two ways to raise plants.

The shrub suits woodland edges and gardens with dappled shade. RHS also lists informal beds, borders and cut-flower use. Chicago suggests growing it as a specimen plant. RHS reports few routine problems with pests or disease. Plants For A Future lists no known edible uses. Its lack of known hazards does not prove food safety. The supplied evidence gives no firm basis for eating it. Its main supported garden value lies in its leaves and flowers.