Podocarpus macrophyllus
| Podocarpus macrophyllus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 33' |
| Width: | 16' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Late Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Podocarpus macrophyllus (common name: kusamaki)
Propagation: 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[2].
Cultivation: Prefers a rich moist non-alkaline soil[3].
Plants are hardy to about -25°c[4].
This species is slow growing in Britain with annual increases in height of up to 20cm[5]. The trees tend to grow poorly in this country, they prefer areas with hot humid summers[4].
Tolerant of trimming[4].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].
This species is normally dioecious, though monoecious forms are sometimes found[6]. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required.
Range: E. Asia - S. China, Japan.
Habitat: Mountains, C. and S. Japan[7]. Forests, open thickets and roadsides from near sea level to 1000 metres[8].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked in pies, cakes etc[9]. The fruit is 12 - 15mm long[4].
Medicinal: The stem bark is used in the treatment of worms (especially ringworm) and blood disorders[10].
A decoction of the fruit is tonic for the heart, kidneys, lungs and stomach[10].
Usage: Plants are used for hedging in N. America[9]. The erect cultivar 'Maki' is commonly used[4].
The wood is used in making furniture, utensils, paper, and farm implements[8]..
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall
Flower Type: Dioecious
Known Hazards: Superficially similar to Taxus species, but this plant is definitely not poisonous[4].
Links
References
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ Holliday, Ivan and Ron Hill. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller, 1974.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Mitchell, Alan. Conifers in the British Isles. Stationery Office Books, 1975.
- ↑ Vines, Robert. Trees of North Texas. University of Texas Press, 1982.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.