Podocarpus grayae
de Laub.
Northern brown pine
(c) coenobita, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by coenobita
(c) kerrycoleman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit
The fruit are eaten.
Where to Find It
It is a tropical plant. It grows between sea level and 1,000 m above sea level. It grows in rainforest.
Australia*,
How to Identify
A tree. The leaves are tough and narrow. They are 15-25 cm long and hang down. The midrib is raised above the leaf surface. The male cones are 2-6 cm long by 3-5 mm wide. They are usually in clusters of 1-4. The fruit receptacles are large and fleshy They are 15-18 mm long by 16-17 mm wide. The fruit are 10-16 mm long by 7-12 mm wide. The seeds are 9-14 mm long by 6-9 mm wide.
How to Grow
Podocarpus grayae is widespread in the subcoastal warm subtropical to tropical rainforests of N Queensland, where it occurs at elevations from near sea level to around 750 metres. Based on data from 30 collection localities, it grows in areas where the mean annual temperature is 24.2°c, with an average minimum in the coldest month of 15.8°c, and a mean annual precipitation of 2,010mm. This species has been erroneouly misidentified as Podocarpus neriifolius in the past and its uses may therefore have been similar to those of that widespread (but not Australian) species. The living bark is very strong and fibrous. Species in this genus are generally slow-growing. A dioecious species; both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.
Propagation: The seed can be sown at any time of the year in a sandy soil, 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 until large enough to plant out. Cuttings of half-ripe terminal shoots, 5 - 10cm long, in a frame.
Other Uses
Large trees are a valuable source of timber but data on its exploitation are lacking, primarily due to the fact that it has been described as a new species only relatively recently. The timber of this species is useful and can be used for much the same purposes as Sundacarpus amara.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Podocarpus grayae is a species of conifer in the family Podocarpaceae, which is endemic to Australia. It is found only in the Northern Territory and Queensland.
References (1)
- KURANDA VILLAGE ENTRANCE PLANT IDENTIFICATION WALK –TOURIST GUIDE
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