Practical
Plants

Podocarpus nivalis

Alpine Totara

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
3 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[6].

Edible uses

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

Fruit - raw or cooked[1]. Sweet and pleasant to taste[2][3][5]. The fruit is about 7mm long[6].

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

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

Plants have a sprawling habit, the branches rooting as they grow, and can be grown as a tall ground cover[7]. They are best spaced about 1.2 metres apart[7].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
New Zealand.
Habitat
Upper forest margins, sub-alpine slopes and occasionally in lowland forests of North and South Islands southwards from latitude 36° 50'[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[9].

Cultivation

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

Prefers a rich moist non-alkaline soil[4]. Shade tolerant, at least when young[6]. This species is hardy to about -25°c[6], though the plants grow best in mild winter areas with plenty of rainfall and high humidity[6]. They often fruit freely in Britain[6]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is very tolerant of trimming[6]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[6]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Laing. and Blackwell. Plants of New Zealand. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd 1907-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

  5. Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302

    ↩

  6. 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↩8

  7. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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