Practical
Plants

Dacrydium cupressinum

Rimu

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Dacrydium genus in the family Podocarpaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
30 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Wind
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked[11][4][9]. It can be somewhat constipating[8]. A resinous substance from the young branches has been used to make an alcoholic beverage resembling spruce beer[9]. The resin is bitter but edible[8]

Product or use
Drink
Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The heartwood is extremely resinous and is used as a torch[3]. Tannin is obtained from the bark[14][15]. Wood - beautifully marked. Much used for construction, railway sleepers, furniture etc[1][2][14][15][7].

Product or use
Lighting
Product or use
Tannin
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
New Zealand.
Habitat
Lowland and montane forests to 800 metres, on North, South and Stewart Islands[13].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a freely draining compost[5]. It usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°c[5]. Another report says that the seed can be very slow to germinate and that it is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[12]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of short leading shoots in early autumn[1].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a light, freely draining soil in a sheltered position with protection from cold winds[5]. Requires high rainfall and humidity if it is to succeed. It tolerates shade and probably requires it in drier areas if the tree is to survive. Requires warm humid summers and mild humid winters if it is to grow well, and even then it is very slow growing[12]. It is best grown in a woodland garden[6]. This species is only hardy in the very mildest areas of the country and does not really thrive even there[1][2]. A tree on the Scilly Isles was 9 metres tall in 1970[10]. Seed from a more alpine provenance might be more successful[16]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Laing. and Blackwell. Plants of New Zealand. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd 1907-00-00

    ↩

  4. Brooker. S. G., Cambie. R. C. and Cooper. R. C. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-19-558229-2

    ↩

  5. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩

  7. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩

  8. Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302

    ↩1↩2

  9. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  10. Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-11-710012-9

    ↩

  11. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  12. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  13. Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00

    ↩

  14. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  15. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  16. Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X

    ↩

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