Practical
Plants

Podocarpus macrophyllus

Kusamaki

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
10 m
Spread
5 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[5].

Edible uses

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

Fruit - raw or cooked in pies, cakes etc[3]. The fruit is 12 - 15mm long[5].

Plant part
Fruit

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.

The stem bark is used in the treatment of worms (especially ringworm) and blood disorders[6]. A decoction of the fruit is tonic for the heart, kidneys, lungs and stomach[6].

Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

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

Plants are used for hedging in N. America[3]. The erect cultivar 'Maki' is commonly used[5]. The wood is used in making furniture, utensils, paper, and farm implements[8]..

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Hedge

Environment

Range
E. Asia - S. China, Japan.
Habitat
Mountains, C. and S. Japan[9]. Forests, open thickets and roadsides from near sea level to 1000 metres[8].
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

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[2]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[5]. This species is slow growing in Britain with annual increases in height of up to 20cm[4]. The trees tend to grow poorly in this country, they prefer areas with hot humid summers[5]. Tolerant of trimming[5]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[5]. This species is normally dioecious, though monoecious forms are sometimes found[7]. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required.

References

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

    ↩

  2. Holliday. I. and Hill. R. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller Ltd. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-85179-627-3

    ↩

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  6. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2

  7. Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0292780206

    ↩

  8. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩1↩2

  9. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

  10. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

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