This species, native only to a small region in Borneo, has at times been incorrectly stated to have a range that spreads from southern China to Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia[, ]..

Common Name:

General Information

Podocarpus brevifolius is an evergreen tree growing up to 20 metres tall at lower elevations but becoming a dwarfed shrub at the highest elevations[].
This tree provides a useful timber but is quite likely not harvested at present, since most specimens grow within the confines of a protected area in Sabah, Malaysia[].
The very small extent of occurrence and area of occupancy of this species, which is confined to high altitude habitat on Mt. Kinabalu, places it close to a threatened category. However, the total known population is protected within Mt. Kinabalu N.P. And the only plausible threat, fires caused by tourism, has not (yet) materialized to the extent that it has adversely affected the population. These fires are likely to remain local due to climate and weather prevailing on the mountain. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Borneo

Habitat

Locally common in upper montane to subalpine dwarf forest, found most commonly on ultramafic substrate and also on granite, among boulders or from crevices; at elevations from 1,350 - 3,800 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Found in the wild on ultramafic substrate and also on granite, growing amongst boulders or from crevices[].
Species in this genus are generally slow-growing[].
A dioecious species; both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is dark brown, there is no clear difference between the heartwood and sapwood. The grain is straight and fine. The wood is hard and heavy, resistant to decay. It is used in construction, house building, making of musical instruments and carving. It is also useful for waterworks construction such as bridges[].
The above description is likely to be meant to apply to Podocarpus pilgeri (syn Podocarpus wangii) - see notes above on taxonomy[]. However, the wood of this species is lilely to be rather similar, like the many species of Podocarpus that grow throughout south Asia. The following is the generic description of this wood, known and traded collectively as podo timber.
The heartwood is light yellow with a greenish tinge or light golden brown; it is not clearly demarcated from the sapwood. The texture is very fine and even; the grain is straight. The wood can vary considerably in hardness and density; it is fairly strong; non-durable under exposed conditions. It seasons well without serious degrade. It is easy to work with hand and machine tools; planed surfaces are smooth and lustrous. The wood is suitable for many decorative purposes, interior finishings, panelling, high class furniture and cabinets, fancy plywood and flooring[].

Propagation

The seed can be sown at any time of the year in a sandy soil, though it is probably best sown as soon as it is ripe[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until large enough to plant out.
Cuttings of half-ripe terminal shoots, 5 - 10cm long, in a frame[].

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