- Podocarpus macrophyllus
Taxobox
name = "Podocarpus macrophyllus"
status = LR/lc | status_system = IUCN2.3
image_width = 240px
image_caption = Foliage with mature seed cones
regnum =Plant ae
divisio =Pinophyta
classis = Pinopsida
ordo =Pinales
familia =Podocarpaceae
genus = "Podocarpus "
species = "P. macrophyllus"
binomial = "Podocarpus macrophyllus"
binomial_authority = (Thunb.) Sweet"Podocarpus macrophyllus" (Kusamaki or Inumaki) is a
conifer in the genus "Podocarpus ", familyPodocarpaceae . It is the northernmost species of the genus, native to southernJapan and southernChina . Kusamaki and Inumaki are Japanese names for this tree, and Kusamaki is increasingly being used as the English name as well, replacing the old, botanically inaccurate names "buddhist pine" and "fern pine" (it is not apine ). In China, it is known as 羅漢松 luo han song.It is a small to medium size
evergreen tree , reaching 20 m tall. The leaves are strap-shaped, 6-12 cm long, and about 1 cm broad, with a central midrib. The cones are borne on a short stem, and have 2-4 scales, usually only one (sometimes two) fertile, each fertile scale bearing a single apicalseed 10-15 mm. When mature, the scales swell up and become reddish purple, fleshy andberry -like, 10-20 mm long; they are then eaten bybird s, which disperse the seeds in their droppings.ymbolism, 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 southeasternUnited States . The ripe cone arils are edible, though the seed should not be eaten.Buddhist Pine ("Podocarpus macrophyllus") in Hong Kong is regarded as a
Fung Shui tree, thus having a very high market value. In recent years, the illegal digging of Buddhist Pine has become a problem in the city. [http://www.hk-love-trees.net/eng/threats_tree.html]References
*
External links
* [http://www.conifers.org/po/po/macrophyllus.htm Gymnosperm Database: "Podocarpus macrophyllus"]
* [http://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/itisca/next?v_tsn=183491 ITIS: "Podocarpus macrophyllus"]
* [http://www.alpine-plants-jp.com/himitunohanazono/inumaki_himitu_1.htm Seeds: "Podocarpus macrophyllus"]
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