Common Name:

General Information

Podocarpus rubens is an evergreen tree that can range in height from 2 - 30 metres. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 4 - 36cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood, which is used locally and also traded collectively as 'podo' wood, along with several other members of the genus.
Podocarpus rubens is very widely distributed and probably occurs in more localities than known and the high altitude component of the global population is not threatened by exploitation. There could be a rationale for listing this species as Near Threatened, but for this we need to have firmer evidence of continuous decline. 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 - Malaysia (Sabah, Sarawak), Indonesia to New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago

Habitat

Lower montane to high montane primary rain forests, mainly at elevations from 800 - 1,500 metres, occasionally to 3,200 metres where it is small and stunted, and rarely also found in lowland swamp forest[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Based on data from 13 collection localities, the climate preferences for Podocarpus rubens include a mean annual temperature of 20°c, with an average minimum in the coldest month of 15°c, and a mean annual precipitation of 2,930mm[].

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

Where it grows to a large tree, this species will be valued and exploited for its timber. It has pale yellowish brown, lightweight wood used for construction, window frames, boat building including masts, spars and oars, interior uses such as flooring, veneer, furniture making and cabinet work, carpentry and joinery, household utensils, matches, and toothpicks[].

This species is one of several that are traded collectively under the name 'podo'. The general description of podo wood is as follows:-
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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