Luma apiculata
Arrayan, temu, Temu
(c) Jorge Herreros de Lartundo, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Myrtaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Not Native
Luma apiculata (Arrayan) is a non-native California shrub / tree in the Myrtaceae family, recognized by Chilean waif species; very limited establishment in cool coastal microclimates.
Arrayan is a naturalized shrub found in the central Coast Ranges in cool coastal and urban areas at elevations near 100 meters. Flowering with cream-white, pink-tinged blossoms approximately 12 millimeters wide, this plant produces delicate flowers with rounded petals. Growing 1.5 to 5 meters tall with many branches, it features a distinctive golden- to orange-brown trunk with occasional white areas. Its leaves are elliptic to ovate, dark green, and thinly leathery with a short, flexible point measuring 1 to 4.5 centimeters long. The fruit is a dark purple globe approximately 12 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Chilean waif species; very limited establishment in cool coastal microclimates
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Cool coastal, urban areas
Elevation: 100 m
Outside California: native to Chile, western Argentina
How to tell it apart
vs Eucalyptus: Luma has opposite leaves and dark purple berries; Eucalyptus has alternate leaves and woody capsules.; vs Leptospermum: Luma produces fleshy dark purple berries; Leptospermum has dry woody capsules.; vs Chamelaucium: Luma has fleshy dark purple berries; Chamelaucium has dry nut-like fruits.; vs Melaleuca: Luma produces fleshy dark purple berries; Melaleuca has woody capsules clustered on branches.; vs Myrtus: Luma has 4-petaled flowers and multiple flat seeds per berry; Myrtus has 5 petals and kidney-shaped seeds.
Frequently asked questions
Is Luma apiculata native to California?
No. Luma apiculata is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Luma apiculata belong to?
Luma apiculata is in the Myrtaceae family, genus Luma.
What habitat does Luma apiculata grow in?
Luma apiculata grows in Uncommon. Cool coastal, urban areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.