Halocarpus kirkii

Halocarpus kirkii
Juvenile foliage
Conservation status
Vulnerable (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pinophyta
Class:	Pinopsida
Order:	Pinales
Family:	Podocarpaceae
Genus:	Halocarpus
Species:	H. kirkii
Binomial name
Halocarpus kirkii (F.Muell. ex Parl.) Quinn
Synonyms
Dacrydium kirkii (Parl.)

Halocarpus kirkii or Monoao was formerly known as Dacrydium kirkii. It is forest tree endemic to New Zealand.^[1] When seen at a distance, it resembles a small Kauri in its overall appearance. It can be usually distinguished by its juvenile foliage, which often remains on the lower branches until the tree grows to approximately 10 metres tall. The tree ultimately reaches a height of about 25 metres, with a trunk up to 1 metre thick and grey-brown bark that has a rough, pustular texture. The pale reddish-brown wood is strong and durable.

The leaves of the younger trees and on the lower branches of the adults are narrow and to some extent leathery, up to 4 cm long and 3 mm wide. The adult leaves are thick, scale-like and much smaller; the leaves overlap and lie appressed to the branchlets in 4 rows.

It is not a common tree, sometimes being found in lowland forests to an altitude of 700 metres in the north of the North Island and on Great Barrier Island.

Notes

1. ^ Monoao should not be confused with the similarly named Manoao (Manoao colensoi, or Silver Pine).

References

• Conifer Specialist Group (1998). Halocarpus kirkii. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 11 August 2006.
• Gymnosperm Database: Halocarpus kirkii
• New Zealand Plant Conservation Network