Kusamaki, Yew plum pine, Buddhist Pine, Chinese Podocarpus, Chinese Yew Pine, Japanese Yew, Souther
Podocarpus macrophyllus
Family: Podocarpaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded.
Podocarpus macrophyllus is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen in October. 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. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 10
Where it is found
Mountains, C. and S. Japan. Forests, open thickets and roadsides from near sea level to 1000 metres.
E. Asia - S. China, Japan.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Fruit - raw or cooked in pies, cakes etc. The fruit is 12 - 15mm long.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The stem bark is used in the treatment of worms (especially ringworm) and blood disorders. A decoction of the fruit is tonic for the heart, kidneys, lungs and stomach.
Anthelmintic: Expels parasites from the gut.
Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Other
Rating: 3
Landscape Uses: Border, Container, Espalier, Pest tolerant, Hedge, Screen, Standard, Superior hedge, Specimen. Plants are used for hedging in N. America. The erect cultivar 'Maki' is commonly used. The wood is used in making furniture, utensils, paper, and farm implements..
Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
Espalier: A tree or other plant that is trained to grow flat against a support (such as a trellis or wall).
Hedge: Hedge
How it is grown
Prefers a rich moist non-alkaline soil. Plants are hardy to about -25°c. This species is slow growing in Britain with annual increases in height of up to 20cm. The trees tend to grow poorly in this country, they prefer areas with hot humid summers. Tolerant of trimming. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. This species is normally dioecious, though monoecious forms are sometimes found. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required. Special Features:Attracts birds, Not North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: The seed can be sown at any time of the year in a sandy soil in a warm greenhouse, though it is probably best sown as soon as it is ripe. 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 terminal shoots, 5 - 10cm long, July/August in a frame.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary; Hedge;
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth: Slow
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Superficially similar to Taxus species, but this plant is definitely not poisonous.