Podocarpus nubigenus

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Podocarpus nubigenus
Light:Full Sun Part Shade
Moisture:Mesic
Hardiness:7
Soil pH:5.6-7.3
Evergreen Cross Pollinated
Height:66'
Speed:Slow
Open Woods Forest
Native to:
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Podocarpus nubigenus (common name: chilean podocarp)

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, but the plants grow best in humid areas with high rainfall, mild winters and cool summers[4]. They are not really happy in the drier eastern half of the country[5].

Closely related to P. totara[4].

A good plant for the rock garden[4].

Very tolerant of pruning[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: 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[5].

Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked. About 8mm long[4]. We have seen no reports for this species but it is most likely that the fruit is edible.

Usage: 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][5][6][7][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

  1. 1.0 1.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  2. Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
  3. Holliday, Ivan and Ron Hill. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller, 1974.
  4. 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.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
  6. Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
  7. Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
  8. Laing, Robert. Plants of New Zealand. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd, 1907.