Real Yellowwood Information
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 areas of the Western Cape east to KwaZulu-Natal and north to eastern Limpopo. 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 of this dioecious tree 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.
Pictures
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A young specimen growing on the slopes of Table Mountain.
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This species of Yellowwood can grow enormous.
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A close-up of the characteristic foliage of the Real Yellowwood.
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An old and weathered specimen on a Drakensberg mountain slope.
References
- Conifer Specialist Group (1998). Podocarpus latifolius. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.
- South Africa State Symbols
- "Podocarpus latifolius". Plantz Afrika. http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantnop/podocarplati.htm. Retrieved 2010-03-04.
Categories: IUCN Red List least concern species | Podocarpaceae | Flora of South Africa | Flora of Southern Africa | Garden plants of Southern Africa | Trees of South Africa | Protected Trees of South Africa | Trees of Cape Town | Trees of Mediterranean climate | Afromontane | Ornamental trees | Plants used in bonsai | Least concern plants
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