Podocarpus, Japanese Podoberry

Podocarpus macrophyllus (Thunb.) D. Don

poe-doe-CARP-us mack-row-FILL-us

Conifers - Podocarpaceae

Explanation of name: Generic name from Greek for foot-fruit, referring to the vaguely foot-shaped single seed (which resembles a fruit). Macrophyllus means large-leaved.

Natural range: Japan, China (WH1)

Recognition (dimensions from WH1): an unusual “conifer” with long (to10 cm X 1 cm), strap-shaped, flat needles. Males cones resembling small cigarettes. Female reproductive structures consisting of single fleshy seeds the sizes of grapes, greenish with waxy luster, borne on an elongate, swollen purple base (receptacle). Podocarpus neriifolius has longer leaves. Podocarpus nagi has broader (1/2” vs. 1/3”) leaves. Afrocarpus gracilior has more delicate, narrower (1/4”) leaves with no prominent midrib. The trees are dioecious (separate male and female trees).

Landscape uses: Rising to over 60’ tall (WH1), Podocarpus often serves as a hedge, mass planting or foundation plant. It takes pruning well except that the large needles look unsightly when severed. ‘Pringles’ is a dwarf cultivar.