Mountain Plum Pine
Podocarpus lawrencei

Family: Podocarpaceae

What it is like

A low growing pine. It grows 0.4-4 m high and spreads 1-3 m wide. It is small and gnarled. Young growth is pale green and has a waxy layer. The branches can lie along the ground. It becomes taller in sheltered sites. The small branches are ribbed. The leaves are small, closely packed and blue-green. They are 0.5-1.5 cm long by 0.15-0.4 cm wide. They are alternate. They are deep green above and paler underneath. The male cones are about 0.4 cm long. They can occur singly or in clusters. They are cylinder shaped and pink or purple. The female cones are in the axils of leaves and do not have stalks. The fruit are bright red. They are succulent. Several different forms of this plant exist.

There are about 100 Podocarpus species. They are mostly in the tropics and subtropics.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in alpine regions. It grows above 1000 m altitude. They need well drained acid soil. They can tolerate frost and snow. They can withstand strong winds. Often it grows on rocky scree slopes. Hobart Botanical gardens. Melbourne Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. Tasmania Herbarium. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), New Zealand, Tasmania (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown from cuttings. If it is grown from seed, the seed need cold treatment.

It is slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Podocarpus alpinus Hook.f.;