Podocarpus elatusScientific name: Podocarpus elatus Author: R.Br. ex Endl. Common name: Plum Pine, Brown Pine Family: Podocarpaceae
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LocationIn Australia today, this tall shrub to medium tree occurs in the rainforest and rainforest margins of Queensland and New South Wales, often associated with waterways. At Mount Annan you’ll find them in Bed 1 on the Terrace Garden. |
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The Plum Pine is a primitive species that has survived since the dinosaur age. The Podocarps originated in the Gondwanan forests of the Triassic period, 245 million years ago where they grew alongside wollemi pines, cycads, tree ferns, giant clubmosses and horsetails, ferns (not grass) covered the ground. This species is dioecious which means there are separate male and female plants, one of each must be growing within pollination range in order for the female tree to set fruit. As you can see, the fruits are composed of two segments. The edible portion is the grape like swollen stalk. It has a resinous flavour and a high Vitamin C content and can be used in jams, jellies, tarts and cakes. It may be an acquired taste, why not visit us and see what you think? |
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