Family: Podocarpaceae
Author: (Thunb.) Sweet
Bibliography: Hort. Suburb. Lond.: 211 (1818)
Year: 1818
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Podocarpus
Vegetable: False
Observations: S. China to N. Myanmar, Taiwan, Japan
Description
The Big-leaf podocarp, scientifically known as Podocarpus macrophyllus, is a striking evergreen tree that has captivated botanists and plant enthusiasts alike since it was first documented in 1818 in “Hortus Suburbanus Londinensis” by Sweet after Thunberg’s initial discovery.
Endemic to East Asia, this coniferous species spans from Southern China to Northern Myanmar, as well as Taiwan and Japan. It thrives in these regions, adapting to various climates and elevations, which showcases its remarkable versatility and resilience.
Belonging to the Podocarpaceae family, the Big-leaf podocarp is distinguished by its long, leathery leaves that provide it with an elegant and lush appearance year-round. Its botanical architecture and dense foliage make it a popular choice for ornamental planting, especially in temperate gardens and landscaped parks.
In addition to its aesthetic appeal, Podocarpus macrophyllus holds cultural and practical significance in its native regions. It is often cultivated for its wood and utilized in traditional medicine. Furthermore, the plant’s adaptability to pruning makes it favorable for bonsai, wherein its grace and form can be appreciated on a miniature scale.
The Big-leaf podocarp stands as a testament to nature’s adaptability and the botanical richness of East Asia, embodying a blend of natural beauty and ecological importance.
Common Names
Eng: buddhist pine, japanese yew, big-leaf podocarp, yew plum pine, yew
Deu: großblättrige steineibe
Hun: nagylevelu kínai kotiszafa
Ita: podocarpo a grandi foglie
Por: pinheirinho
Swe: storbladig podokarp
Rus: ногоплодник крупнолистный (nogoplodnik krupnolistnyj)
Zho: 罗汉松 (luo han song), luo han song
Jpn: kusamaki
En: Big-leaf podocarp, Yew plum pine, Kusamaki, Japanese yew, Buddhist Pine, Yew
Ar: معلاقة كبيرة الأوراق
Zh: Luo han song, 大葉羅漢松, 罗汉松, 罗汉松 (luo han song)
Fi: Japaninpodokarpus
De: Großblättrige Steineibe
Hu: Nagylevelu kínai kotiszafa
It: Podocarpo a grandi foglie
Ja: Maki, Inu-maki, Kusa-maki, Kusamaki
Ko: 나한송
Pl: Podokarpus wielkolistny
Pt: Pinheirinho, Podocarpus
Ru: Подокарп крупнолистный, Ногоплодник крупнолистный (nogoplodnik krupnolistnyj)
Sv: Storbladig podokarp
Zh-tw: 大葉羅漢松
Zh-hant: 羅漢松
Vi: Thông La hán
Synonyms
- Margbensonia sweetii ((C.Presl) A.V.Bobrov & Melikyan)
- Podocarpus sweetii (C.Presl)
- Nageia macrophylla ((Thunb.) F.Muell.)
- Margbensonia macrophylla ((Thunb.) A.V.Bobrov & Melikyan)
- Taxus macrophylla (Thunb.)
Distribution
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Japan (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Korea (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Feb 10, 2021 by Michelle A (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 3, 2022 by Kitsune (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 6, 2022 by Valentin Legrand (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 24, 2022 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 26, 2021 by Tony Rivers (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jul 28, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 12, 2021 by Jonathan Stemberger (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 12, 2021 by Jonathan Stemberger (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 24, 2010 by EOL − Robert Gundy [email protected] (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Apr 25, 2021 by Fernando da Luz Schmidt (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Fruit
Taken Feb 24, 2020 by Rosângela Linhares Correia (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 12, 2008 by EOL − Václav Hanzlík (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jul 22, 2019 by Elly Hutchinson (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 4, 2022 by Leon Bianca (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 25, 2019 by LJ LJ (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Nov 22, 2021 by Tara Koble (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 5, 2017 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 16, 2020 by BGris (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Apr 25, 2021 by Fernando da Luz Schmidt (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jul 26, 2020 by Pereira Jorge (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 16, 2022 by Mallet F. (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 17, 2021 by Makoto Makoto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 25, 2019 by LJ LJ (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 13, 2021 by Tony Stroh (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Nov 16, 2019 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 9, 2017 by vini (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 9, 2017 by vini (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:263522-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5285930)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Podocarpus macrophyllus (Thunb.) Sweet)
Specifications
Growth form: Single Stem
Growth habit: Tree
Growth rate: Rapid
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.0
Ph minimum: 5.5