Podocarpus elatus

R. Br ex Endl.

Brown Pine, Plum Pine

Podocarpaceae Edible: Fruit stalk, Fruit Potential hazards — see below 1,217 iNaturalist observations

foodtimber

iNaturalist· cc-by

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Podocarpus elatus, known as the plum pine, the brown pine, the Illawarra plum or the Queensland Christmas tree, is a species of Podocarpus endemic to the east coast of Australia, in eastern New South Wales and eastern Queensland. It is a medium to large evergreen tree growing to 30–36 m tall with a trunk up to 1.5 m diameter. The leaves are lanceolate, 5–15 cm long (to 25 cm long on vigorous young trees) and 6–18 mm broad. The seed cones are dark blue-purple, berry-like, with a fleshy base 2-2.5 cm diameter bearing a single oval or globose seed 1 cm in diameter.

Description

A medium sized tree. It grows to 5-15 m high. It can be 40 m tall. It spreads 3.5-8 m wide. The bark is grey to brown and fibrous. The branches stick out or curve upwards. The young growth is yellowish green or pink. The small branches have ribs. The leaves are 6-18 cm long by 0.5-1.4 cm wide. They are deep green on top and paler underneath. The male cones are about 3 cm long. They are in clusters in the axils of leaves. They have very short stalks. The female cones are single and greenish on a large fleshy blue black stem. These plum like fruit are edible.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and makes a tasty jelly. It is rich, sweet, and mucilaginous with a resinous flavour. The fruit is a reasonable size at around 25mm in diameter, with the seed borne on its top.

Traditional Uses

The fruit receptacle is fleshy and edible. It is high in Vitamin C. It is used in jams and jellies, chutneys and sauces, and added to muffins, cakes, puddings and pastries.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Known Hazards

Superficially similar to Taxus species, but this plant is definitely not poisonous.

Distribution

It occurs in New South Wales and Queensland in Australia. It is a rainforest species in tropical and warm temperate regions. They need well drained acidic soils. It can stand light frosts. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. Arboretum Tasmania. In Melbourne Botanical Gardens. In Hobart Botanical gardens.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia*, Hawaii, Indonesia, Pacific, SE Asia, Tasmania,

Cultivation

Prefers a rich moist non-alkaline soil. Resists salt spray. Grows best in areas with a humid climate. Plants tolerate temperatures down to at least -7°c in Australian gardens, but this cannot be translated directly to British gardens because of our cooler summers and longer colder and wetter winters. They can be grown outdoors in the milder areas of Britain, preferably in a woodland garden. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagation

Seed can be sown at any time of year in sandy soil in a warm greenhouse, though sowing as soon as it is ripe is ideal. Prick seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe terminal shoots, 5–10cm long, can be taken in July or August and rooted in a frame.

Other Uses

The wood is tough, durable, and silky-textured. It is used in cabinet making, indoor joinery, and boat building.

Production

Trees often only fruit well on some years.

Notes

There are about 100 Podocarpus species. They are mostly in the tropics and subtropics.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Seed	61	728	174	0.9	—	11	—	—
Fruit	87.3	347	83	0.2	—	—	0.3	0.2

Synonyms

Nageia elata (Endl.) F. Muell.Podocarpus ensifolius Carriere

Also Known As

Cemara coklat, Goongum, Illawarra plum, She Pine, Yellow Pine

References (39)

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Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 814
Boland, D. J. et al, , 2006, Forest Trees of Australia. CSIRO p 58

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