Microcachrys tetragona
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Podocarpaceae
- Genus
- Microcachrys
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- slow
- Height
- 0.2 m
- Spread
- 2 m
- Fertility
- self sterile
- Flower type
- dioecious
- Pollinators
- Wind
Uses
Edible uses
Fruit - raw[K]. It is rather small, about the size of a small blackcurrant, and does not have much flavour[K].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Environment
- Range
- Australia - Tasmania.
- Habitat
- Mountains in the alpine and sub-alpine zones[1].
- 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
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be very slow to germinate, stored seed often requiring 12 months stratification[3]. 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. Bird-sown seedlings, if they can be obtained, are the best way of propagating this plant[3].
Cultivation
Requires a moist soil and very high humidity with plenty of rain[3]. Succeeds on a north facing slope[1]. This species is fairly hardy in Britain, succeeding outdoors in all but the coldest parts of the country[3]. A slow growing plant[2]. Plants are usually dioecious but monoecious forms are sometimes found. Female plants can set fruit in the absence of a male but male plants must also be grown if fertile seed is required[1].
References
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) 1988-00-00 ISBN 0-7322-0021-0
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5