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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Prumnopitys taxifolia is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m (82ft 0in) 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 from October to November. 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.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Dacrydium spicatum. D. taxifolium. P. spicata. (Mirbel.)Masters. Podocarpus spicatus.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Sap Shoots
Edible Uses: Drink

Fruit - raw[2, 128, 173]. A sweet flavour[183]. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter and contains one seed[200]. The watery sap is drunk or used in the preparation of a beer-like beverage[183]. It is best from trees that are neither too young nor too old[173]. Other reports say that the young shoots are made into a beverage resembling spruce beer[183].

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

Hedge Hedge Wood

The plant is very tolerant of trimming and can be grown as a hedge[200]. Wood. Used for furniture, construction, bridges etc[61].

Special Uses

Hedge Hedge

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Thrives in any good soil, including chalk[11, 81]. Requires a sheltered position[11]. This species is not very cold-hardy in Britain, though it succeeds outdoors in the mildest areas of the country[11, 81]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed and fruit are required.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - it can be sown at any time of the year in a sandy soil in a greenhouse[1]. It can take 18 months to germinate[200]. 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 wood, July/august in a frame. Easy[1]. Cuttings of ripe wood with a heel in late summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AUSTRALASIA: New Zealand (North Island)

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Prumnopitys andina	Plum-Fruited Yew	Tree	15.0	7-10	S	LMH	SN	M	3	0	3
Prumnopitys ferruginea	Miro	Tree	25.0	8-11	S	LMH	SN	M	2	0	3

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.

Prumnopitys taxifolia - (Sol. ex D.Don.)deLaub.