Podocarpus totara
Podocarpus totara
Safety & Hazards
Superficially similar to Taxus species, but this plant is definitely not poisonous[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. ].
Botanical Description
Podocarpus totara is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 30 metres tall. The bole can be up to 200cm in diameter[ 44 Title Flora of New Zealand. Publication Author Allan. H. H. Website http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Book.aspx?fileName=Flora%201.xml Publisher Government Printer, Wellington. Year 1961 ISBN - Description The standard work, in 5 volumes though only the first two are of interest to the plant project. Very good on habitats. There is also an on-line version. , 329 Title The Gymnosperm Database Publication Author Website http://www.conifers.org/index.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A vast amount of information on conifers and families of gymnosperms. ]. In its early stages the tree forms a spreading, bushy and attractive tree. As it gains height it acquires a massive trunk and branches that bear dense foliage. Older trees become more open in habit and the top tends to die back. Enormous roots spread out over the ground at the base of the trunk[ 329 Title The Gymnosperm Database Publication Author Website http://www.conifers.org/index.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A vast amount of information on conifers and families of gymnosperms. ]. The tree was a very important component of Maori life, providing food, medicine and a range of materials. The tree became a much-exploited commercial timber, but is now protected and is regenerating. It is cultivated on a small scale as a timber crop and is also sometimes grown as an ornamental. At present, native trees are virtually universally protected in New Zealand and the exploitation of the wood of Totara is much restricted, essentially to dead trees outside reserves, and put to specialist wood work only. The historical decline, while partly irreversible due to land use changes, has now turned into an increase in many of the forests where Podocarpus totara was logged in the past. This will in due course result in an increase in mature trees. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].