Practical
Plants

Libocedrus plumosa

Kawaka

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Libocedrus genus in the family Cupressaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
9 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Material uses

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

The wood is said to act as a deterrent to insects[1]. Wood - easily worked and often very beautiful. Used for construction, shingles etc[5][6].

Product or use
Repellent
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
New Zealand.
Habitat
Lowland forests between latitudes 35 and 38°south[4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold greenhouse in late winter. 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.

Cultivation

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

Requires a sheltered position in a good deep soil that is rich in humus[1]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, though it succeeds outdoors in Cornwall and S. Ireland[1]. A tree at Wakehurst Place was 5 metres tall in 1971[2]. A slow-growing tree, it requires high humidity and protection from cold drying easterly winds[3].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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