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Useful Tropical Plants

Podocarpus milanjianus

Rendle

Podocarpaceae


There has been some confusion between this species and Podocarpus latifolius, both of which are treated here as distinct species.. Podocarpus latifolius is usually considered to be endemic to S. Africa, whilst this species is native to large areas of tropical Africa. However, in some treatments Podocarpus latifolius is said to have a very wide range which includes the range of Podocarpus milanjianus in tropical Africa as well as its own range in subtropical S. Africa - in these treatments Podocarpus milanjianus is given as a synonym of Podocarpus latifolius.
We have attempted to separate the uses of the two species here (they are very similar) but the description of the wood is likely to contain elements of both species[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

+ Synonyms

Afrocarpus falcatus milanjianus (Rendle) Silba

Podocarpus ulugurensis Pilg.

Common Name: East African Yellowwood

No Image.

General Information

Podocarpus milanjianus is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 35 metres tall, exceptionally to 40 metres. The straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 150cm in diameter (exceptionally to 300cm), and unbranched for 10 - 20 metres; sometimes there are buttresses at the base[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
The tree provides a valuable wood that is traded commercially,and also has minor local food and medicinal uses. It is occasionally planted to provide shade in plantations, to aid reforestation, and is grown as an ornamental and roadside tree, having a characteristic appearance with its conical shape and bright green glossy leaves[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
Podocarpus milanjianus is the most widespread Podocarp species in Africa, it is very common and although there are localized threats these are not thought to be resulting in significant declines. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References


Range

Tropical Africa - Nigeria to southern Sudan, south through east Africa to Angola, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique

Habitat

Tropical evergreen rainforest, cloud forest, and dwarf forest at higher elevations; at elevations from 900 - 3,250 metres[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Properties

Conservation StatusLeast Concern
HabitEvergreen Tree
Height25.00 m
PollinatorsWind
Self-fertileNo
Cultivation StatusOrnamental, Wild

Cultivation Details



Species in this genus are generally slow-growing[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
A dioecious species; both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

People occasionally eat the fleshy receptacles at the base of the seeds[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

Medicinal

An infusion of the bark is used in the treatment of stomachache[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

A decoction of the leaves is used as a vermifuge[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant has been used in afforestation on a small scale in several African countries, within and perhaps without its natural range[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
The tree is used to provide shade in coffee, cocoa and banana plantations[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

Other Uses

The bark is used as waterproof cover for bee-hives[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

This species is an important timber tree in many parts of tropical Africa. Its wood is valued for carpentry and joinery as it is light coloured, even grained, easily worked, and large trees yield good sizes of sawn timber. More specialized uses requiring high grade timber are veneer, furniture making, cabinet making, interior trim, household utensils, and wood carving[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

The following description of the wood was given for Podocarpus latifolius, with this species given as a synonym. It very likely also applies to this species:-
The heartwood is pale yellowish brown, and not demarcated from the sapwood. The grain is straight, occasionally spirally; the texture fine and even. Reddish streaks of compression wood may be present. Resin is absent, and the wood has no distinctive odour[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]. The wood is moderately lightweight; resistant to acids but not durable; easy to saw and work with machine and hand tools, having little dulling effects on cutting edges[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]. It can be planed to a smooth finish; has a tendency to split upon nailing and so pre-boring is recommended; it holds screws well but requires support in drilling and mortising because of its brittleness[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]. The gluing, painting, varnishing and staining properties are moderately good. Steam bending gives moderate results, but turning properties are good. The peeling and slicing properties are good; good-quality but brittle veneer can be produced from the wood[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]. The wood of trees from Sudan has a high lignin content and was found difficult to pulp[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
The wood, often traded as ‘podo’, is highly valued for furniture and ship building, but it is also used for poles, panelling, boxes, veneer and plywood. It is popular for making butchers’ blocks because it is fairly hard, without scent, and does not chip easily. It is suitable for construction, flooring, joinery, interior trim, vehicle bodies, railway sleepers, toys, novelties, agricultural implements, musical instruments, coffins, food containers, vats, carving, pattern making, matches, turnery, hardboard and particle board, and it is considered a high-quality pulpwood[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
,
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
The wood is used for fuel[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

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[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
]. 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[
78
Title
Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
Publication
 
Author
Sheat. W. G.
Publisher
MacMillan and Co
Year
1948
ISBN
-
Description
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-03. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Podocarpus+milanjianus>

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