Common Name:

General Information

Podocarpus rumphii is an evergreen tree, usually growing from 12 - 45 metres tall with a fairly open, slender crown[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its timber which is used locally and also traded with other Podocarpus species under the collective name 'podo' wood..
Despite its vast range and occurrence in many locations where the forest remains undisturbed, there is evidence of decline due to logging, especially in the Philippines. The extent of the decline may be approaching 30% over the past 75 years (=three generations), so almost qualifies for listing as threatened. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southern China (Hainan), Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines to New Guinea.

Habitat

Locally common in primary rain-forest but in rather widely separate localities, frequently on islands,
in Java on limestone, usually at elevations from 5 - 200 metres, but sometimes up to 1,550 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Based on data from 42 collection localities, Podocarpus rumphii grows in a region where the mean annual temperature is 22°c, with an average minimum in the coldest month of 16°c, and a mean annual precipitation of 2790mm[].
In Jawa the tree is found on limestone, on other islands it is also found on soils ranging from clay to sand derived from acidic rock types[].
In tall forest (with a canopy 40 - 50 metres high) it can reach into the canopy, successfully competing with angiosperms[].
The large leaves of saplings to pole stage trees could be an adaptation to growing in shade under other trees; they become smaller, narrower and more leathery and stiff in sun-exposed crowns of larger trees[].
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 light yellow wood is fine-grained; not too hard; easily worked; takes a good polish; and is not attacked by borers[]. Reported to be a good timber tree[], it is recommended for turnery, and boards, and is used for native vessels[].

Podocarpus rumphii is a valuable timber tree where it attains large sizes with a clear, straight bole. Its wood is used as roundwood for masts, spars, and poles, in house construction as beams, in high-grade construction for flooring, joinery and other carpentry, for furniture and cabinet work, veneer, to make boxes, and for match sticks. In traditional use it was sought after for (dugout) canoes, used in coastal house construction, for household utensils, and wood carving[].

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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