Podocarpus latifolius

Taxobox
name = "Podocarpus latifolius"


image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Podocarpus latifolius" in the Drakensberg
status = LR/lc | status_system = IUCN2.3
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Pinophyta
classis = Pinopsida
ordo = Pinales
familia = Podocarpaceae
genus = "Podocarpus"
species = "P. latifolius"
binomial = "Podocarpus latifolius"
binomial_authority = (Thunb.) R.Br. ex Mirb.

"Podocarpus latifolius" (Broad-leaved Yellowwood or Real Yellowwood) is a large evergreen tree up to 35 m high and 3 m trunk diameter, in the conifer family Podocarpaceae; it is the type species of the genus "Podocarpus".

It is native to the moister southern and eastern areas of South Africa, from coastal Western Cape Province east to KwaZulu-Natal Province and north to eastern Limpopo Province. The Real Yellowwood has been declared the national tree of South Africa.

The leaves are strap-shaped, 25–40 mm long on mature trees, larger, to 100 mm long, on vigorous young trees, and 6–12 mm broad, with a bluntly pointed tip. The cones are berry-like, with a single (rarely two) 7–11 mm seed apical on an 8–14 mm pink-purple aril; the aril is edible and sweet. The male (pollen) cones are 10–30 mm long.

It is a slow-growing tree. The wood is hard, similar to yew wood, used for furniture, panelling, etc. Due to past over-exploitation, little is now cut.

References

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* [http://www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/symbols/tree.htm South Africa State Symbols]