Podocarpus nivalis
| Podocarpus nivalis | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 10' |
| Width: | 16' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Podocarpus nivalis (common name: alpine totara)
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]. Shade tolerant, at least when young[4].
This species is hardy to about -25°c[4], though the plants grow best in mild winter areas with plenty of rainfall and high humidity[4]. They often fruit freely in Britain[4].
A very ornamental plant[1], it is very tolerant of trimming[4].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].
Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
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'[5]
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[1]. Sweet and pleasant to taste[6][7][8]. The fruit is about 7mm long[4].
Usage: Plants have a sprawling habit, the branches rooting as they grow, and can be grown as a tall ground cover[9]. They are best spaced about 1.2 metres apart[9].
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
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 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 4.7 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Allan, Harry. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer Publications, 1961.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Laing, Robert. Plants of New Zealand. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd, 1907.
- ↑ Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.