Podocarpus polystachyus
Podocarpus polystachyus
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Based on data from 29 collection localities, Podocarpus polystachyus grows in a region where the mean annual temperature is 25°c, with an average minimum in the coldest month of 21°c (the warmest recorded for a species of Podocarpaceae), and a mean annual precipitation of 2,730mm[1]. Podocarpus polystachyus is a highly adaptable species, found mainly near the coast, often near the high tide mark and sometimes even within mangrove swamps on slightly raised, sandy ridges (probably old beaches). Here it is a stunted tree not exceeding 6 - 7 metres in height. On coastal limestone and granitic rocks the trees are gnarled and shrubby, usually not exceeding 2 - 3 metres. A bit more inland, the tree is found in coastal lowland 'kerangas' forest, a low forest - a type of moist, heath forest found on acidic, sandy soils that are low in nutrients, especially nitrogen - here it can reach 10 metres or more in height. Further inland, in the interior of Peninsular Malaysia, the Philippines, and elsewhere it occurs in forests on limestone hills and plateaux. Here trees can be taller, with some said to reach 40 metres tall with slender, buttressed boles that can be clear of branches to 25 metres. This can only occur in competition with other tall forest trees, where Podocarpus polystachyus is striving to reach the canopy. It appears therefore to be a highly adaptable species and the nearest to a mangrove-inhabiting conifer in existence[2]. Podocarpus polystachyus is one of the few species in this genus that are commonly planted as an ornamental tree in tropical countries, mostly within its area of natural distribution but at least as far away as the Congo Republic[2]. Species in this genus are generally slow-growing[2]. A dioecious species; both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.
Propagation
The seed can be sown at any time of the year in a sandy soil, though it is probably best sown as soon as it is ripe[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until large enough to plant out. Cuttings of half-ripe terminal shoots, 5 - 10cm long, in a frame[4]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Podocarpus+polystachyus>
Pollinators
Wind
References
- [1]The Gymnosperm Database — http://www.conifers.org/index.htm ↩︎A vast amount of information on conifers and families of gymnosperms.
- [2]IUCN Red List of Threatened Species — http://www.iucnredlist.org/ ↩︎A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
- [3]RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 — F. Chittendon. · Oxford University Press · 1951 · ISBN - ↩︎Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [ 200 ]).
- [4]Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. — Sheat. W. G. · MacMillan and Co · 1948 · ISBN - ↩︎A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
- [5]A Dictionary of Malaysian Timbers — Wong T.M. · Forest Research Institute Malaysia; Kuala Lumpur · 2002 · http://Elaeocarpaceae · ISBN 983-2181-29-1 ↩︎A fairly comprehensive guide to Malaysian timbers, giving their properties and the main tree species from which they are obtained.