Oleander podocarp, Brown pine
Podocarpus neriifolius

Family: Podocarpaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows to 45 m tall. The trunk is 100 cm across. The crown is dome shaped. There can be buttresses 2 m high. The bark is grey-brown and scaly. It is cracked with scaly ridges. The young leaves are 15-24 cm long by 2.4 cm wide. They have a sharp tip. The base narrows to a short leaf stalk. The mature leaves are 7-12 cm long by 1-1.8 cm wide. They taper to the tip. The male cones occur singly or in groups or 2 or 3. They do not have stalks. The female cones have a bright red receptacle. The seed is oval and 7.5-10 mm long. The fruit are edible.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native from SE Asia to the Pacific. It suits tropical and subtropical regions. They grow in primary rainforest from near sea level to 2,100 m altitude. They are often on rocky hill tops.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Papua

How it is used for food

The fleshy receptacle of the fruits is eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings of firm young growth. Cuttings are best rooted under mist. Plants can also be grown from layers.

Its other names

Local names

Asi, Asibolo, Baikiwaqa, Baukiwaqa, Cemara cina, Dieng-sia-blei, Djadjaruman, Dung kung, Gagali, Galigali, Gunsi, Halis, Handalaska, Jati bukit, Jinari, Kasi, Katbhaluka, Kherewal-tak, Ki bima, Ki malela, Ki panchar, Ki putri, Ki sereum, Lempega, Mounteak, Penejuak, Plum pine, Sangching, Seluang, Sensarut, Sentada, Srol, Taji, Thitmin, Thitmin-po, Thlang-phari, Tu-far, Welimada, Wuluan

Synonyms

Podocarpus annamensis N. E. Gray; Nageia neriifolia (D. Don) Kuntze;