Most recent records for this species place it in the genus Sundacarpus, though there are still some, such as GRIN and Flora Malesiana[], that place it in the genus Prumnopitys[].

Common Name: Black Pine

General Information

Sundacarpus amarus is a fast-growing, evergreen tree with a conic crown, becoming columnar with age[, ]. The tree can vary in height from 10 - 60 metres with a bole that can be buttressed and is from 12 - 140cm in diameter[].
The tree is extensively harvested from the wild for its timber, which is sometimes traded along with several other related species as 'podo' or is sometimes distinguished as 'black podocarp'..
The main threat to this species is logging, which is unsustainable in many cases because the tree is very slow growing. If forests do not return after logging to a long cycle of disturbance events but to a shorter one with smaller gaps, this species will be replaced by other trees. If logging is a precursor to deforestation, as it often is under pressure of land use changes, decline is further accelerated. Despite an undeniable downward trend in Sundacarpus' global population due to unsustainable logging of primary rain forest and subsequent deforestation in many localities, based on the enormous extent of occurrence and the fact that this tree is also present in many protected areas (albeit with varying levels of actual protection) it is still considered well beyond any category of threat. This species is designated as being of 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2010)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Southeast Asia - Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines to Papua New Guinea and northern Australia.

Habitat

A canopy or emergent tree, scattered and often common in primary and secondary rain-forest, sometimes as low as sea level, more commonly from 500 - 2,300 metres with occasional specimens to 3,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the humid tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 2,300 metres, and sometimes higher[, ].
The tree is most commonly found on latosols in the wild, rarely on sandy soils or on marshy ground[]. Shade tolerant, at least when young[].
Most species in this family are tolerant of hard pruning, being able to regrow from old wood[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown of fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A fine timber tree, often of large dimension[]. Easily worked, it is used for boards, posts, beams, joinery and furniture[, , ].

Propagation

Seed - generally slow to germinate, taking one year or more[]. Seeds that have passed through the gut of an animal germinate faster[].
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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