Common Name: Brown Pine

General Information

Podocarpus neriifolius is a large evergreen tree with a dome-shaped crown that usually grows from 5 - 30 metres tall but can reach a height of 40 metres or more[, , ]. The straight, cylindrical bole, which can be branchless for up to 20 metres, is 10 - 100cm in diameter[].
The tree yields a valuable timber and so it is commonly harvested from the wild and traded internationally. It is sometimes also harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of edible fruit. The tree is often grown as an ornamental, valued particularly for its beautiful shape[].
Despite some decline in certain parts of its huge range, e.g. In Nepal and China where the IUCN SSC China Plant Specialist Group assessed it as nationally Vulnerable, this species is too widespread and common in many places to be in danger of extinction. This species is classified as being of 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2010)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - India, Sikkim, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea.

Habitat

A subcanopy to occasional canopy tree in evergreen broadleaved forests[, ]. Hill and montane forests[]. Hot, humid forests, coastal and lowland swamp forests, on volcanic soils[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Podocarpus neriifolius is found in humid subtropical to tropical areas at elevations from around sea level up to 2,100 metres, though its optimum is between 900 - 1,500 metres[, ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 3,700mm with a uniformly distributed summer rain and up to 5 months of dry season. Optimal temperature range is 25 - 30°c with the coldest months having only between 8 - 24°c[].
Prefers a position in full sun or bright shade[]. Plants are shade tolerant, at least when young[, ]. Succeeds in a range of soils, preferring fertile, slightly acid conditions[, ].
Most species in this genus are tolerant of hard pruning, being able to regrow from old wood[].
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

Fruit - raw[, ]. The orange-red fruit is about 8 - 10 × 5 - 8mm[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the leaves has been used as a treatment for rheumatism and arthritis[].
The juice from the leaves is prepared as a remedy against maggot infested sores[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants are tolerant of pruning and can be grown as a large screen[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is greyish yellow or pale brown to golden brown; it is often not clearly demarcated from the paler
sapwood. It is fine and even-textured; close and straight-grained, lustrous. The wood is light in weight, fairly hard, not very durable when exposed but resistant to termites and insects. It is easy to saw, but softer boards show a tendency to crumble on end grain; it can be planed, shaped, turned, mortized, and sanded with good results and to a smooth finish; the results of boring are sometimes rated as moderate; generally the wood holds nails well, but large nails may cause some splitting; gluing, staining, varnishing and painting properties are stisfactory. A high quality timber, it is used for general carpentry, boat making, furniture, musical instruments, carvings etc[, , , , ]. The wood is pulped for making paper[].

Propagation

Seed - generally slow to germinate, taking one year or more[]. Seeds that have passed through the gut of an animal germinate faster[].
Seeds have been known to germinate in the dense shade of a woodland[].
Cuttings should include an erect lead shoot if a good form is required[]. If side shoots are used, the resulting plant will be prostrate[].

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