Podocarpus alpinus
Tasmanian Podocarp
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Podocarpaceae
- Genus
- Podocarpus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- slow
- Height
- 2 m
- Spread
- 2.5 m
- Fertility
- self sterile
- Flower type
- dioecious
- Pollinators
- Wind
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
Superficially similar to Taxus species, but this plant is definitely not poisonous[4].
Edible uses
Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit is about 6mm x 5mm in size with a single seed[2][4]. Although we have seen no specific reports of edibility for this fruit, it is closely related to other species with edible fruits and is very unlikely to be poisonous - we have indeed eaten it on a number of occasions and it has a mucilaginous texture with a slightly sweet flavour[K].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Material uses
Wood.
- Product or use
- Wood
Environment
- Range
- Australia - New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria.
- Habitat
- Not known
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
The seed can be sown at any time of the year in a sandy soil in a warm greenhouse, though it is probably best sown as soon as it is ripe[1]. 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 half-ripe terminal shoots, 5 - 10cm long, July/August in a frame[5].
Cultivation
Prefers a rich moist non-alkaline soil[3]. Plants are shade tolerant, at least when young[4]. Hardy to about -25°c, but plants grow best in humid areas with high rainfall and mild winters[4]. Plants often fruit freely in Britain[4]. A very slow growing plant, reaching 1.5 metres tall in 50 years at Kew Gardens[2]. It is a good plant for the rock garden[4]. Plants are very tolerant of pruning[4]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Holliday. I. and Hill. R. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller Ltd. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-85179-627-3
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00