Family: Podocarpaceae
Common Name: Plum Pine, Plum Yew, Yellow-wood

Botanically, this genus belongs to the conifers, even though its seeds are generally not carried In cones, but singly or in small groups at the ends of branchlets, mostly on short stalks, which are often swollen and fleshy. Some species, however, have seed-bearing organs, more like normal cones. In some species, the leaves are narrow and flattened, those of tropical types growing as long as 30 cm (12 in); in others the leaves are small and needle-like and crowded along the branchlets. There are around 100 species of Podocarpus, originating from tropical and temperate rainforests of Australasia, southern and eastern Asia, South America and southern Africa. The species range from tall, forest trees to almost prostrate, sub-alpine shrubs. Several are grown widely as shade trees for streets, parks and larger gardens; others are used in rockeries. Most are tender and need to be grown in an intermediate to warm greenhouse or conservatory in frost-prone climates.

Species

Podocarpus, brown pine or plum pine, zone 10, from eastern Australia, grows in its habitat to around 35 m (100 ft), though seldom reaches more than 15 m (50 ft) in cultivation. It has flaky brown, bark and very leathery, deep green leaves, to 8 cm (3 in) long. The seeds are borne singly on rounded, black, edible fruits. Its dense canopy makes it an excellent shade or street tree. As the plum pine responds well to heavy pruning, it is also useful as a hedging plant.

P. ferrugineus (Synonym: Prumnopitys ferruginea), miro, zone 9, is a native of New Zealand, where it is found in rainforests. The small leaves are quite yew-like and the bright red seeds are large and oval in shape. In cultivation, it is a slow-growing, small tree of slender, upright habit.

P. macrophyllus, zone 7, from mountainous regions of China and Japan, rarely grows larger than a shrub outside its habitat. It grows into an irregularly columnar shape and has densely crowded, narrow leaves, about 10 cm (4 in) long, very thick and leathery. Very slow growing, it makes a good container plant and a thick hedge. It is best suited to cooler temperate climates.

P. totara, totara, zone 9, has a magnificent trunk, 3 m (10 ft) in diameter, covered with reddish brown bark, which matures to a grayish brown colour. It was formally an important timber tree in its native New Zealand. It has a rather narrow, bushy crown, stiff, sharply pointed, bronze-green leaves, and crimson fruits. In cultivation it seldom exceeds 8 m (26 ft) tall.

Cultivation

Podocarpus species vary in their requirements. The tall-growing species, originally from dense forest habitats, like a very sheltered position and deep, fertile, moist soil. Other species, such as P. salignus, are very hardy, tolerate pollution and are suitable for inner-city conditions. Most are fairly slow growing but this can be an advantage. Propagate from seed, which in most species has a short viability, or by cuttings, which are more easily struck than for most conifers.

Climate

There are species suited to various climatic zones.