We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Podocarpus nivalis - Hook.f.

Common Name Alpine Totara
Family Podocarpaceae
USDA hardiness 7-11
Known Hazards Superficially similar to Taxus species, but this plant is definitely not poisonous[200].
Habitats Upper forest margins, sub-alpine slopes and occasionally in lowland forests of North and South Islands southwards from latitude 36° 50'[44]
Range New Zealand.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Podocarpus nivalis Alpine Totara


Podocarpus nivalis Alpine Totara

 

Translate this page:

Summary

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Prostrate, Rounded, Spreading or horizontal.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Podocarpus nivalis is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[1]. Sweet and pleasant to taste[105, 128, 173]. The fruit is about 7mm long[200].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Plants have a sprawling habit, the branches rooting as they grow, and can be grown as a tall ground cover[208]. They are best spaced about 1.2 metres apart[208].

Special Uses

Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Cascades, Erosion control, Foundation, Ground cover, Massing. Prefers a rich moist non-alkaline soil[167]. Shade tolerant, at least when young[200]. This species is hardy to about -25°c[200], though the plants grow best in mild winter areas with plenty of rainfall and high humidity[200]. They often fruit freely in Britain[200]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is very tolerant of trimming[200]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Special Features: Not North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

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[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Australia, New Zealand*,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Nageia nagiNagi, Nagi Podocarpus, Broadleaf PodocarpusTree25.0 9-11 MLMHSNM102
Podocarpus alpinusTasmanian PodocarpShrub2.0 6-9 SLMHSNM202
Podocarpus elatusAustralian PlumTree30.0 9-11  LMHSNM202
Podocarpus lawrencei Tree10.0 6-9  LMHSNM20 
Podocarpus macrophyllusKusamaki, Yew plum pine, Buddhist Pine, Chinese Podocarpus, Chinese Yew Pine, Japanese Yew, SoutherTree10.0 8-11 SLMHSNM213
Podocarpus neriifoliusOleander Podocarp, Brown PineTree25.0 9-12 MLMHSNM224
Podocarpus nubigenusChilean PodocarpTree20.0 6-9 SLMHSNM202
Podocarpus salignusWillowleaf PodocarpTree12.0 7-10 SLMHSNM202
Podocarpus totaraTotaraTree30.0 8-11 SLMHSNM302

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

Hook.f.

Botanical References

1144200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Podocarpus nivalis  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.