Common Name:

General Information

Retrophyllum vitiense is an evergreen tree with a spreading crown of drooping, extremely graceful branches; it can grow up to 43 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be more than 130cm in diameter and is sometimes buttressed in New Guinea[].
A valuable timber species that is frequently logged, sometimes traded and much used for construction[].
This species will have been affected by lowland rainforest clearance in some parts of its range; quantifying the impact is impossible based on available information. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Indonesia (Moluccas) through New Guinea to Fiji.

Habitat

A canopy tree in dense, mixed forests at elevations from 100 - 900 metres in Fiji and 1,650 - 2,000 metres in southeast New Guinea.

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	35.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Based on data from 21 collection localities, Retrophyllum vitiense grows in a region where the mean annual temperature is 23°c, with an average minimum in the coldest month of 18°c, and a mean annual precipitation of 3,290mm. Able to withstand light frosts, it can tolerate occasional temperatures falling to between -1°c and +4.4°c)[].

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

A resin is obtained from the trunk[]. Flammable, it is used to start fires[].

A good quality, heavy exterior construction timber[].
This is one of the most highly valued trees of Fiji, perhaps second only to Agathis vitiensis in esteem. It is considered to produce an excellent wood for furniture, interior finishing, etc[].

Propagation

Seed -

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