Practical
Plants

Phyllocladus trichomanoides

Tanekaha

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

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Taxonomy and growth

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

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

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

Astringent[9].

Product or use
Astringent

Material uses

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

A red dye is obtained from the bark[1][2][9][3]. It is orange-yellow[5]. The bark is astringent, it is a very rich source of tannin[1][10][3][5]. Wood - very strong, dense, heavy. Used for mine props, sleepers etc[9][10]. A much valued timber in New Zealand[2].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Tannin
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
New Zealand.
Habitat
Lowland forests on North and South Islands, south to latitude 42°s[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
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 - sow late winter in a cold frame. 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 in a sandy soil in a cool or slightly warm frame in spring.

Cultivation

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

Prefers a good loamy soil containing leaf mold[1]. Succeeds in a good open soil but if it is to thrive it needs copious rainfall, high humidity and warmer conditions than are normally found in Britain[2][6]. Plants are not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[7]. They succeed outdoors in the mildest areas in the south and west of the country[1]. They are hardy in Cornwall, southern Ireland etc[2], where they succeed in woodland gardens[4].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. 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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  7. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

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