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Useful Tropical Plants

Retrophyllum vitiense

(Seem.) C.N.Page

Podocarpaceae

+ Synonyms

Decussocarpus vitiensis (Seem.) de Laub.

Nageia vitiensis (Seem.) Kuntze

Podocarpus filicifolius N.E.Gray

Podocarpus vitiensis Seem.

Common Name:

Retrophyllum vitiense

General Information

Retrophyllum vitiense is an evergreen tree with a spreading crown of drooping, extremely graceful branches; it can grow up to 43 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be more than 130cm in diameter and is sometimes buttressed in New Guinea[
329
Title
The Gymnosperm Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.conifers.org/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A vast amount of information on conifers and families of gymnosperms.
].
A valuable timber species that is frequently logged, sometimes traded and much used for construction[
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.
].
This species will have been affected by lowland rainforest clearance in some parts of its range; quantifying the impact is impossible based on available information. 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

329
Title
The Gymnosperm Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.conifers.org/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A vast amount of information on conifers and families of gymnosperms.

Range

Southeast Asia - Indonesia (Moluccas) through New Guinea to Fiji.

Habitat

A canopy tree in dense, mixed forests at elevations from 100 - 900 metres in Fiji and 1,650 - 2,000 metres in southeast New Guinea.

Properties

Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitEvergreen Tree
Height35.00 m
PollinatorsWind
Self-fertileNo
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Based on data from 21 collection localities, Retrophyllum vitiense grows in a region where the mean annual temperature is 23°c, with an average minimum in the coldest month of 18°c, and a mean annual precipitation of 3,290mm. Able to withstand light frosts, it can tolerate occasional temperatures falling to between -1°c and +4.4°c)[
329
Title
The Gymnosperm Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.conifers.org/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A vast amount of information on conifers and families of gymnosperms.
].

A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[
329
Title
The Gymnosperm Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.conifers.org/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A vast amount of information on conifers and families of gymnosperms.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A resin is obtained from the trunk[
490
Title
Flora Vitiensis Nova
Publication
 
Author
Smith. A.C.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden; Hawaii
Year
1979
ISBN
 
Description
A comprehensive flora of Fiji, often showing plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. Flammable, it is used to start fires[
490
Title
Flora Vitiensis Nova
Publication
 
Author
Smith. A.C.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden; Hawaii
Year
1979
ISBN
 
Description
A comprehensive flora of Fiji, often showing plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

A good quality, heavy exterior construction timber[
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.
].
This is one of the most highly valued trees of Fiji, perhaps second only to Agathis vitiensis in esteem. It is considered to produce an excellent wood for furniture, interior finishing, etc[
490
Title
Flora Vitiensis Nova
Publication
 
Author
Smith. A.C.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden; Hawaii
Year
1979
ISBN
 
Description
A comprehensive flora of Fiji, often showing plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Propagation

Seed -
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-03. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Retrophyllum+vitiense>

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