Podocarpaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Podocarpus nivalis

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

0/5

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 nivalis is a prostrate to semi-prostrate evergreen shrub with wide-spreading branches, or sometimes becoming rather like a miniature tree with a slender trunk. It can grow up to 3 metres tall[ 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 plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it can be used as a ground cover. Podocarpus nivalis is widespread in much of the highland part of New Zealand, and has not been affected to any great extent by deforestation. 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. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeNew Zealand - North, South and Stewart Islands.

HabitatUpper forest margins, sub-alpine to alpine scrubland and tussock grassland, commonly creeping low over rocks but becoming more erect when competing with tall grasses or in scrub; at elevations from 800 - 2,500 metres[ 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. , 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. ].