Plum-Fruited Yew
Prumnopitys andina

Family: Podocarpaceae

What it is like

Prumnopitys andina is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. 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): 15

Where it is found

Humid woods between the coast and the hills, between latitudes 36 and 40°south.

S. America - S. Chile.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Fruit - raw or cooked. Aromatic with a taste like the sweetwater grape. The fruit is up to 20mm long and 15mm wide, it contains one seed. Seed. No more details are given.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

The plant is very tolerant of trimming and can be grown as a hedge. Wood. Used to make furniture.

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

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Thrives in any good soil, including chalk. Requires a sheltered position. A very ornamental plant, but it is in general very slow growing in Britain, though slightly faster in the south-west. Plants are usually dioecious though monoecious forms are known. Male and female plants must be grown if seed and fruit are required. The fruits are fragrant.

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 Secondary; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 7-10

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

Podocarpus andinus.