Podocarpus macrophyllus is a conifer in the genus Podocarpus, family Podocarpaceae. It is the northernmost species of the genus, native to southern Japan and southern and eastern China. Common names in English include yew plum pine, Buddhist pine, fern pine and Japanese yew. and are Japanese names for this tree. In China, it is known as luóhàn sōng (), which literally means "arhat pine".

Description

It is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree, reaching tall. The leaves are strap-shaped, long, and about 1cm broad, with a central midrib. The cones are borne on a short stem, and have two to four scales, usually only one (sometimes two) fertile, each fertile scale bearing a single apical seed 10–15mm. When mature, the scales swell up and become reddish purple, fleshy, and berry-like, 10–20mm long; they are then eaten by birds, which disperse the seeds in their droppings.

P. macrophyllus occurs in forests, open thickets, and roadsides from near sea level to above it.

Varieties

Two varieties are accepted.

• Podocarpus macrophyllus var. macrophyllus – southern China, southern Taiwan, and Japan (Honshu and Shikoku)

• Podocarpus macrophyllus var. maki (synonym P. chinensis ) – southern China, northern Myanmar, Taiwan, and south-central and southern Japan

Symbolism, cultivation, and uses

Kusamaki is the state tree of Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It is a popular large shrub or small tree in gardens, particularly in Japan and the Southeastern United States. The ripe cone arils are edible, though the seed should not be eaten. Because of its resistance to termites and water, inumaki is used for quality wooden houses in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.

Buddhist pine is highly regarded as a feng shui tree in Hong Kong, giving it a very high market value. In recent years, the illegal digging of Buddhist pine has become a problem in the city.

This species can be trained as a bonsai.

Gallery

References

External links

• Gymnosperm Database:

• Seeds: