Common Name:

General Information

Podocarpus pendulifolius is an evergreen tree growing up to 20 metres tall at lower elevations, but often much smaller at higher elevations[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood. It has the potential to be grown as an ornamental in gardens.
Podocarpus pendulifolius is only known from two subpopulations in locations that are about 100 km apart. This species therefore meets the criteria for listing as Endangered, since a continuing decline of the population can be inferred from its exploitation, which has been and is targeting mature trees. There is no legal protection in the form of protected areas and the species is not legally protected from logging. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northwestern Venezuela

Habitat

Montane mixed low-canopy rainforest; at elevations from 1,400 - 3,000 metres. At the highest elevations it is part of a dwarfed forest on slopes immediately below alpine grassland[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The pendulous or drooping habit of the foliage would make an attractive feature for horticulture and provenances from the highest altitudes may even prove more or less hardy in temperate climates[].
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 of this species is considered to be of good quality for construction of houses[].

We do not have a specific description for the wood, but the following is a general desciption of Podocarpus wood in the Americas:-
The heartwood is pale yellow to yellowish brown; it is not distinct from the sapwood. The texture is fine and uniform without conspicuous zones of latewood; somewhat lustrous; the grain is usually straight but may be slightly interlocked; odour or taste are absent or not distinctive in seasoned wood. The heartwood from trees grown in Belize is reported to be moderately durable with ground contact under tropical exposure. Durability of other species from elsewhere are reported as low. The wood air-seasons rapidly with little or no warping or checking. Movement in service is rated as small. It works easily with hand and power tools; nails easily; and takes stain, varnish, and paint satisfactorily. The wood is used for joinery, millwork, furniture components, boxes and crates, general construction, veneer and plywood, pulp and paper, pattern making[].

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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