Practical
Plants

Podocarpus nubigenus

Chilean Podocarp

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
Growth rate
slow
Height
20 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. About 8mm long[5]. We have seen no reports for this species but it is most likely that the fruit is edible.

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

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

Wood - straight grained, reddish, very durable lasting a long time in water, but it can be brittle. Used for construction work and cabinet making[1][2][6][7][3].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
S. America - S. Chile, S.W. Argentina.
Habitat
Grows in moist forests, where annual rainfall can be up to 5,000 millimetres, in association with Fitzroya cupressoides and Nothofagus dombeyi[2].
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[8].

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[5]. This species is hardy to about -25°c, but the plants grow best in humid areas with high rainfall, mild winters and cool summers[5]. They are not really happy in the drier eastern half of the country[2]. Closely related to P. totara[5]. A good plant for the rock garden[5]. Very tolerant of pruning[5]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[5]. 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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  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. 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

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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