Podocarpus totara

Totara ( Podocarpus totara )

Totara ( Podocarpus totara ) is a plant of the genus Podocarpus ( Podocarpus ) in the family of Podocarpus plants ( Podocarpaceae ). It is native to New Zealand.

• 6.1 Notes and references

Description

The Totara is a slow-growing, medium to large, evergreen tree, the plant height 20-25 meters, in exceptional cases even 35 meters and reaches about it. He reached the highest heights of growth among all representatives of the family of Podocarpus plants ( Podocarpaceae ). He is known for his longevity and his great girth. The bark peels off in papery flakes and has a purple color to golden brown color. The approximately 2 inches long, dull green, flat leaves are stiff and leathery.

The journal consists of two to four to a fleshy, berry-like, red aril ( seed coat ) fused scales. This carries one or two round seeds.

Largest specimens

A known example called " Pouakani " has reached a height of 42.7 meters with a diameter at breast height of 3.88 meters; it is close Mangapeni in King Country, Southern Waikato. Its wood is estimated at 203.7 m³. However, the tree itself on the attached information sign points out incorrect data for plant height, stem diameter and timber volume. The coordinates of the site are 38.46716 ° S 175.61928 ° E. A and with 51 meters even higher tree stands in Pureora Forest Park.

Use

The wood is hard, has a straight grain and is very rot resistant. Therefore, it has been often used for fence posts, used as a foundation for flooring, and railway sleepers. It was also the most important wood for the carvings of the Māori.

Dissemination

The Totara is found in New Zealand on the North Island and the northeastern South Island in the forests of the lowlands, the highlands and the bottom of the subalpine vegetation zone at altitudes up to 480 meters, in exceptional cases up to 600 meters.

Similar type

A closely related species is Podocarpus nubigenus from South America, which is difficult to distinguish. The best distinguishing feature is the gray-green leaves of the Totara compared to the slightly lighter green needles of P. nubigenus.

System

The first description of this type found in the work A description of the genus Pinus of the English botanist Aylmer Bourke Lambert 1832.

Synonyms for Podocarpus totara G.Benn. ex D.Don are: Podocarpus totara D.Don ex Hook, Podocarpus totara G.Benn. . ex D.Don var waihoensis Wardle, Nageia totara ( G.Benn. D.Don ex ) F.Muell.

Swell

• Podocarpus totara totara var. New Zealand Plant Conservation Network, January 18, 2010, accessed on 31 October 2011 ( English).
• Christopher J. Earle: Podocarpus totara. In: The Gymnosperm Database. October 14, 2011, accessed on 31 October 2011 ( English).