Envoy at 18:12, 31 October 2007

2007-10-31T18:12:39Z

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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Podocarpus lawrencei''
| status = LR/lc
| regnum = [[Plantae]]
| divisio = [[Pinophyta]]
| classis = [[Pinophyta|Pinopsida]]
| ordo = [[Pinales]]
| familia = [[Podocarpaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Podocarpus]]''
| species = '''''P. lawrencei'''''
| binomial = ''Podocarpus lawrencei''
| binomial_authority = [[Joseph Dalton Hooker|Hook.f.]]
}}

'''''Podocarpus lawrencei''''' is a species of [[Podocarpus|podocarp]] native throughout the [[Australia]]n high country, from southern [[Tasmania]] through to the [[New South Wales]] highlands, where it is known by the confusing name of '''Mountain Plum-pine''' (it is not a [[pine]] nor a [[plum]]). It grows on exposed sites to 1,800 m, often forming living carpets over rocks through wind pruning.

The [[leaf|leaves]] are 1 cm long and 2-3 mm broad, green, often reddish-tinted, particularly so in cold winter weather. It has small bright red berry-like [[conifer cone|cones]], with a 5-10 mm long red aril and one (rarely two) apical [[seed]]s 6-8 mm long; they are eaten by birds and marsupials, but are toxic to most other mammals (including humans).

Whilst it is normally low growing, rarely reaching more than 1 m in the [[Australian Alps]], on the [[Errinundra Plateau]] in eastern [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] it reaches 15 m height. The timber is too rare to be used for woodcrafts.

There has been some debate over whether ''Podocarpus lawrencei'' is really a separate species from ''[[Podocarpus alpinus]]''; some [[botanist]]s treat it as a [[variety (biology)|variety]] of that species. The name is frequently misspelled as ''lawrencii''.

===Cultivation===
Mountain Plum-pine is tolerant of quite dry conditions and can resprout after losing all its leaves from drought. It survives −16°C to 45°C and grows well in full sun or fairly heavy shade. It is slow growing, putting on about 3-5 cm of length each year. It can be grown from cuttings or seed. New foliage is usually a lime green, darkening to olive green as it hardens.

Ideally the Mountain Plum-pine should be grown in full sunlight with plenty of water. It makes a good indoor plant in a bright window. It is an excellent [[bonsai]] or hedging plant, although it does require patience.

==References==
* {{IUCN2006|assessors=Conifer Specialist Group|year=1998|id=42511|title=Podocarpus lawrencei|downloaded=12 May 2006}}

[[Category:Podocarpaceae]]
[[Category:Flora of New South Wales]]
[[Category:Flora of Tasmania]]
[[Category:Flora of Victoria]]

Podocarpus lawrencei - Revision history

Envoy at 18:12, 31 October 2007