Podocarpus macrophyllus | Threatened Conifers of the World (en-GB)

Podocarpaceae

Podocarpus macrophyllus (Thunb.) Sweet

Podocarpus macrophyllus, with its constituent varieties, is very widespread and despite some decline does not qualify for any threatened category. It is therefore assessed as Least Concern.The variety maki Siebold & Zucc. is listed as Near Threatened.

Distribution

Recorded from China: Anhui, Chongqing, Fujian, Guangxi, Guizhou,Hong-Kong, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang; Japan; Myanmar? [Burma]; and Taiwan.

Widel cultivated and probably naturalised in many areas. Records relating to Myanmar need further investigation.

Habitat and Ecology

Podocarpus macrophyllus is a forest species but also occurs in secondary vegetation (thickets and scrub on mountain slopes and hill sides), often along streams. It is one of numerous species in a mixed mesophytic forest formation, largely constituted of deciduous angiosperm trees and shrubs. Podocarpus macrophyllus occurs from near sea level to around 1,000 m a.s.l.; in Yunnan it was recorded (G. Forrest4665) growing at 2,400 m and higher (-3,000 m?) as a low shrub. Many forests at lower elevations have been cut over and have a secondary vegetation of remnant forest trees and pioneer species. In this vegetation and in remnants of undisturbed forest Podocarpus macrophyllus occurs with Cunninghamia lanceolata, Pinus spp., Podocarpus neriifolius, Cephalotaxus fortunei, Fokienia hodginsii, Taxus chinensis, and where not logged, Pseudotsuga sinensis and Tsuga chinensis, as well as numerous angiosperms, among which genera in the Fagaceae like Castanopsis and Quercus are conspicuous. Especially Podocarpus macrophyllus var. maki has been widely planted in China and Japan and has probably been spread by birds into vegetation in which it may not have occurred previously.

Human Uses

Podocarpus macrophyllus (especially var. maki) is widely planted in China and Japan as well as in parts of SE Asia as an amenity tree. In Japan, this species is planted for hedges; var. maki is a popular pot plant and is occasionally seen as bonsai. A few

cultivars, one a compact shrub, others also shrubs but with narrow or variegated leaves, are known. The species and its var. maki are also commonly planted in other East Asian countries and find use as an ornamental as far away as Puerto Rico. The species was introduced from China in England in 1804; from Japan (var. maki) in the
Netherlands in 1830. Apparent shrub forms which occur at higher altitude in Yunnan would be suitable as ornamentals in large rock gardens; George Forrest collected such a plant from the ranges near Dali in 1906 (Forrest 4665), but this provenance appears not to be in cultivation in Europe at the present time.

Conservation Status

Podocarpus macrophyllus, with its constituent varieties, is very widespread and despite some decline does not qualify for any threatened category. It is therefore assessed as Least Concern.

Conservation Actions

This species is known from several protected areas

References and further reading