Podocarpus elatus
Australian Plum
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Podocarpus genus in the family Podocarpaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Podocarpaceae
- Genus
- Podocarpus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 30 m
- Fertility
- Self sterile, Wind
- 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.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Superficially similar to Taxus species, but this plant is definitely not poisonous[8].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked[2][3]. It makes a tasty jelly[5]. Rich and sweet[7]. Mucilaginous with a resinous flavour[6][7]. A reasonable size, the fruit is about 25mm in diameter[5]. The seed is borne on the top of the fruit[7].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Wood - tough, durable, silky textured. Used for cabinet making, indoor use and boat building[2][5].
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy
Environment
- Range
- Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria.
- Habitat
- Coastal scrub forest[5]. Once a common tree in Australia, it is now rare due to the destruction of the rainforests[7].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 10+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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[10].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a rich moist non-alkaline soil[5]. Resists salt spray[3]. Grows best in areas with a humid climate[8]. Plants tolerate temperatures down to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[3], but this cannot be translated directly to British gardens because of our cooler summers and longer colder and wetter winters. They can be grown outdoors in the milder areas of Britain, preferably in a woodland garden[4]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[8]. 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
Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Useful Wild Plants in Australia. William Collins Pty Ltd. Sidney 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-00-216441-8
Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) 1988-00-00 ISBN 0-7322-0021-0
Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00
Holliday. I. and Hill. R. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller Ltd. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-85179-627-3
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Low. T. Wild Food Plants of Australia. Angus and Robertson. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-207-14383-8
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Carolin. R. & Tindale. M. Flora of the Sydney Region Reed. Australia. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0730104001
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00