Podocarpus latifolius

Podocarpus latifolius
Podocarpus latifolius in the Drakensberg
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Pinophyta Class: Pinopsida Order: Pinales Family: Podocarpaceae Genus: Podocarpus Species: P. latifolius
Binomial name
Podocarpus latifolius (Thunb.) R.Br. ex Mirb.

Podocarpus latifolius (Broad-leaved Yellowwood or Real Yellowwood) is a large evergreen tree up to 35 m high and 3 m trunk diameter, in the conifer family Podocarpaceae; it is the type species of the genus Podocarpus.

It is native to the moister southern and eastern areas of South Africa, from coastal areas of the Western Cape east to KwaZulu-Natal and north to eastern Limpopo. The Real Yellowwood has been declared the national tree of South Africa.

The leaves are strap-shaped, 25–40 mm long on mature trees, larger, to 100 mm long, on vigorous young trees, and 6–12 mm broad, with a bluntly pointed tip. The cones are berry-like, with a single (rarely two) 7–11 mm seed apical on an 8–14 mm pink-purple aril; the aril is edible and sweet. The male (pollen) cones are 10–30 mm long.

It is a slow-growing tree. The wood is hard, similar to yew wood, used for furniture, panelling, etc. Due to past over-exploitation, little is now cut.

References

• Conifer Specialist Group (1998). Podocarpus latifolius. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.
• South Africa State Symbols