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Podocarpus totara - G.Benn. ex D.Don.

Common Name Totara
Family Podocarpaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards Superficially similar to Taxus species, but this plant is definitely not poisonous[200].
Habitats Lowland, montane and sub-alpine forest on North, South and Stewart Islands[44].
Range New Zealand.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Podocarpus totara Totara


Podocarpus totara Totara

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Podocarpus totara is an evergreen Tree growing to 30 m (98ft 5in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. 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

P. hallii.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 105, 153, 183]. Sweet and juicy but there is a hint of turpentine in its flavour, especially if it is not fully ripe[173]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[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

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Other Uses

Wood

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, 11, 46, 61, 128].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a rich moist non-alkaline soil[167]. This species is only hardy in the milder areas of Britain. Plants have succeeded in Suffolk and Argyll as well as in southern and western Britain but it is only in Cornwall and Ireland that plants achieve the stature of trees[81, 185]. A tree at Trebah gardens in Cornwall was 16 metres tall in 1959[185]. Plants are fairly slow growing with an average increase in height around 20cm a year in Cornwall[185]. Cultivated as a timber tree in New Zealand[1]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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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.

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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

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Found In

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

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 nivalisAlpine TotaraShrub3.0 7-11 MLMHSNM303
Podocarpus nubigenusChilean PodocarpTree20.0 6-9 SLMHSNM202
Podocarpus salignusWillowleaf PodocarpTree12.0 7-10 SLMHSNM202

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.

 

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Expert comment

Author

G.Benn. ex D.Don.

Botanical References

1144200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Andrew Arlidge   Thu Aug 7 2008

Readseal are marketing a toothpaste containing a totara extract which they claim fights bacteria which cause dental caries.

Readseal Possible medicinal use of Totara

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Subject : Podocarpus totara  
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