Matai
Prumnopitys taxifolia

Family: Podocarpaceae

What it is like

Prumnopitys taxifolia is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m (82ft 0in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, and the seeds ripen from October to November. 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. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 25

Where it is found

Lowland forests, North, South and Stewart Islands.

New Zealand.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Fruit - raw. A sweet flavour. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter and contains one seed. The watery sap is drunk or used in the preparation of a beer-like beverage. It is best from trees that are neither too young nor too old. Other reports say that the young shoots are made into a beverage resembling spruce beer.

Sap: usually of trees and usually but not always used as a drink.

Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

The plant is very tolerant of trimming and can be grown as a hedge. Wood. Used for furniture, construction, bridges etc.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Hedge: Hedge

How it is grown

Thrives in any good soil, including chalk. Requires a sheltered position. This species is not very cold-hardy in Britain, though it succeeds outdoors in the mildest areas of the country. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed and fruit are required.

Propagating it: Seed - it can be sown at any time of the year in a sandy soil in a greenhouse. It can take 18 months to germinate. 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 wood, July/august in a frame. Easy. Cuttings of ripe wood with a heel in late summer.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy; 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

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Dacrydium spicatum. D. taxifolium. P. spicata. (Mirbel.)Masters. Podocarpus spicatus.