As I got closer, I could already sense a strong, fresh aroma coming from the tree. I picked a leaf, rubbed it between my fingers, and was surprised by its spicy, herbal scent—it smelled almost like a mix of mint and pepper!
The boldo tree is native to Chile, meaning it only grows naturally in this part of the world. It is mostly found in central Chile, where I am staying now! This region has a Mediterranean climate, meaning the summers are hot and dry, and the winters are cool and rainy. The soil here is often rocky and dry, but boldo is well adapted to survive in these conditions. If you take a short walk into a native Chilean forest, you are likely to find boldo trees growing all around!
The boldo tree is very tough and has special ways to survive in harsh environments, especially during times of drought when water is scarce.
Thick, waxy leaves: These help the tree hold onto water by preventing too much from evaporating.
Deep roots: Boldo trees send their roots deep underground to find water and nutrients, even in dry, rocky soil.
Bitter taste: The leaves taste bad to most animals, which keeps hungry creatures from eating too many of them.
Even though boldo is strong, it still faces some threats that could harm its survival.
One threat to the boldo are non-native tree species, which are trees from other parts of the world. Some non-native trees, like pine and eucalyptus, have been planted in Chile.
