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Scientific name: Podocarpus nubigenus Lindley 1851
Synonyms: Nageia nubigena (Lindl.) F.Muell., Saxegothaea gracilis Gordon
Common names: Chilean podocarp, Cloud Podocarp (English), Mañio Macho (Spanish), Manilihuan (Araucanian)
Description
Tree to 25(-30) m tall, with trunk to 0.9(-2) m in diameter. Bark light reddish brown to gray, thin, peeling in scales or strips and becoming shallowly furrowed. Crown conical when young, becoming broadly conical or rounded and more irregular and open with age, with fairly heavy horizontal to rising branches bearing short branchlets attached in twos or threes and densely clothed with foliage. Twigs yellowish green, grooved between the attached leaf bases. Resting buds slightly elongated and pointed, with sharply pointed, somewhat loosely overlapping scales. Leaves evenly spaced along the length of the twigs and spreading out all around them, light green to yellowish green above, with stomates confined to waxy bluish gray bands on either side of the midrib beneath, lasting 3 years or more, (1.5-)2-4(-4.5) cm long, (2-)3-4(-5) mm wide. Blades nearly parallel-sided or widest near or below the middle, straight or slightly curved to one side, tapering abruptly to the sharply long-pointed tip and to the rounded or wedge-shaped base with a very short petiole. Midrib distinctly protruding above and hardly so beneath, with one resin canal beneath the midvein and well-developed support tissue extending out into the leaves and making them very hard and rigid. Pollen cones yellowish brown, (0.8-)1.5-2.5 cm long and 1.5-2.5(-3) mm wide, one to three (to six) at the end of a short, leafless stalk to 5 mm long, clustered at the tips of the branchlets. Pollen scales with a roundly triangular, minutely upturned tip about 1 mm long and wide, the edge stiffened and toothed. Seed cones on a very short, leafless stalk to 1 mm long, without basal bracteoles, the reproductive part with four or five very unequal bracts, these and the axis becoming fleshy and somewhat swollen, bright red at maturity, 5-7 mm long. Fertile seed scales one or two, the combined seed coat and epimatium thinly fleshy, glossy or dull dark brownish red, a little elongate, 8-10 mm long by 6-8 wide, distinctly wider than the podocarpium beneath, with an inconspicuous crest along one side and over the top.
Southern Andes and southern coastal ranges of Chile from the Toltén River in Cautín province at about 39°S to Isla Madre de Dios in Ultima Esperanza below 50°S and barely into adjacent Patagonian Argentina between about 40°S and 44°S. Forming pure stands in bogs and scattered in the surrounding cool temperate rain forests in regions of very high rainfall; (0-)10-900(-1,250) m. However, it has a very high moisture requirement and does very poorly in regions without constant atmospheric humidity derived from fog and heavy rainfall (hence the scientific name, “cloud bringer”, from Latin and Greek).
Conservation Status
Red List Category & Criteria: Near Threatened
Despite its wide distribution and relatively large number of locations, many of which contain healthy groups of old-growth trees and good regeneration, Podocarpus nubigenus is assessed as Near Threatened as continued changes in landuse, particularly in the Coastal Cordillera, combined with past exploitation in other parts of its range could result in a population reduction approaching 30%.
In Argentina it has a very restricted distribution in Province of Neuquén where it occurs as solitary trees or in small groups, in the south of its distribution in Chile it tends to occur more sporadically.
A component of the humid evergreen forests, often on poorly drained soils. It is often associated with Drimys winteri, Fitzroya cupressoides, Laureliopsis philippiana, Nothofagus betuloides, Nothofagus nitida, Pilgerodendron uviferum, Saxegothaea conspicua, and many species of myrtle.
Although this conifer still has a relatively continuous distribution throughout its geographic range and occurs in relatively large subpopulations, there has been a significant population reduction that may be approaching 30%. Primary threats are constant logging for firewood and for its quality timber. Additional threats include the cutting of young trees for Christmas trees. Land use change which includes the conversion of its native habitat into commercial plantations and clearance for agricultural use are further serious threats. Such deforestation of old-growth forests is leading to a decline and degradation of important wildlife habitat.
The wood of Podocarpus nubigenus is highly prized due to its good colour, durability and strength. It is used for a wide range of products including furniture, interior fittings, flooring and crafts. Young trees are cut for use as Christmas trees. The species is cultivated.
It is afforded some protection in a number of National Parks. Some conservation initiatives for Fitzroya cupressoides have also involved the restoration of Podocarpus nubigenus.
References
Copyright © Aljos Farjon, James E. Eckenwalder, IUCN, Conifers Garden. All rights reserved.
