Podocarpus elongatus (Breede River yellowwood)

Breederivier-geelhout [Afrikaans]

Life > eukaryotes > Archaeoplastida > Chloroplastida > Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants) > Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants) > Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Gymnospermae > Coniferophyta > Podocarpaceae > Genus: Podocarpus

Smaller than the other Podocarpus species in southern Africa, growing as a small bush or tree to a height of about six metres although it has been recorded to a maximum height of 24 metres (Palmer and Pitman 1972). Fruit are distinctive in consisting of dark blue-green seeds each of which is embedded in a scarlet-coloured fleshy base.

Distribution and habitat

Has a fairly confined distribution in the winter rainfall region of the southwestern Cape, South Africa, where it is found mainly along mountain streams although it can also be found growing in a stunted form on open mountainsides.

Ecological interactions

According to Palmer and Pitman (1972), both the seeds and their fleshy bases are eaten by mammals and birds.

Uses

None recorded.

References

• Palgrave, K.C. and Palgrave, M.C. 2002. Trees of Southern Africa. 3rd Edition. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.
• Palmer, E. and Pitman, N. 1972. Trees of Southern Africa covering all known indigenous species in the Republic of South Africa, South-West Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland. Volume 1. A.A. Balkema, Cape Town.
• van Wyk, B. and van Wyk, P. 1997. Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.

Text by Hamish Robertson