View source for Podocarpus

{{Short description|Genus of conifers in the family Podocarpaceae}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| fossil_range = <br/>[[Paleocene]] to recent {{Fossil range|66|0}}
| image = PodocarpusTotara2.jpg
| image_caption = ''[[Podocarpus totara]]''
| taxon = Podocarpus
| authority = [[Charles Louis L'Héritier de Brutelle|L'Hér]] ''ex'' [[Christiaan Hendrik Persoon|Pers.]]<ref name="Farjon" />
| type_species = ''[[Podocarpus elongatus]]''
| type_species_authority = L'Hér ''ex'' Pers.<ref name="Farjon" />
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = 116, see text
| subdivision_ref = <ref name = powo>{{cite web |title=''Podocarpus'' L'Hér. ex Pers. |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:328880-2 |website=[[Plants of the World Online]] |publisher=[[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew]] |access-date=10 March 2025}}</ref>
| synonyms = ''Margbensonia'' <small>Bobrov & Melikian</small>
| synonyms_ref = <ref name = powo/>
}}

'''''Podocarpus''''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|p|oʊ|d|ə|ˈ|k|ɑr|p|ə|s}}<ref>''Sunset Western Garden Book,'' 1995:606–607</ref>) is a [[genus]] of [[pinophyta|conifers]], the most numerous and widely distributed of the podocarp family, the [[Podocarpaceae]]. ''Podocarpus'' species are [[evergreen]] [[shrub]]s or [[tree]]s, usually from {{convert|1|to|25|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall, known to reach {{convert|40|m|ft|abbr=on}} at times. The [[conifer cone|cones]] have two to five fused cone scales, which form a fleshy, [[berry]]-like, brightly coloured receptacle at maturity. The fleshy cones attract [[bird]]s, which then eat the cones and disperse the seeds in their droppings. ''[[Plants of the World Online]]'' accepts 116 species.<ref name = powo/> Other authorities place 97 to 107 species in the genus depending on the [[Circumscription (taxonomy)|circumscription]] of the species.<ref name="Farjon" /><ref name="Earle">Earle, Chris J.: [http://www.conifers.org/po/Podocarpus.php ''Podocarpus''.] The Gymnosperm Database. 2013.</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ornelas |first1=J. F. |display-authors=etal |year=2010 |title=Phylogeography of ''Podocarpus matudae'' (Podocarpaceae): pre-Quaternary relicts in northern Mesoamerican cloud forests |url=http://www.ecologia.unam.mx/laboratorios/evolucionmolecular/images/file/ClaseGenpob/Luis/EjerciciosHedrick/2009_1/Orenlas.pdf |journal=Journal of Biogeography |volume=37 |issue=12 |pages=2384–96 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2699.2010.02372.x |bibcode=2010JBiog..37.2384O |s2cid=83064504 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>Barker, N. P., et al. (2004). [http://eprints.ru.ac.za/126/ A yellowwood by any other name: molecular systematics and the taxonomy of ''Podocarpus'' and the Podocarpaceae in southern Africa.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313231433/http://eprints.ru.ac.za/126/ |date=2008-03-13 }} ''South African Journal of Science'' 100(11 & 12), 629–32.</ref>

Species are cultivated as ornamental plants for parks and large gardens. The [[cultivar]] 'County Park Fire' has won the [[Royal Horticultural Society]]'s [[Award of Garden Merit]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/113759/Podocarpus-County-Park-Fire-(PBR)-(f)/Details |title=''Podocarpus'' 'County Park Fire' |publisher=RHS |access-date=18 January 2021}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
The name comes from Greek {{lang|el|πούς}} ''poús'' meaning "foot" and {{lang|el|καρπός}} ''karpós'' meaning "fruit".{{explain|date=December 2024}}

=== Names ===
Common names for various species include "yellowwood" and "pine",<ref name="Earle" /> as in the plum pine (''[[Podocarpus elatus]]'')<ref>Earle, Chris J.: [http://www.conifers.org/po/Podocarpus_elatus.php ''Podocarpus elatus''.] The Gymnosperm Database. 2013.</ref> or the Buddhist pine (''[[Podocarpus macrophyllus]]'').<ref>Earle, Chris J.: [http://www.conifers.org/po/Podocarpus_macrophyllus.php ''Podocarpus macrophyllus''.] The Gymnosperm Database. 2013.</ref>

== Description ==
''Podocarpus'' species are [[evergreen]] woody plants. They are generally trees, but may also be shrubs.<ref name="Farjon">{{cite book |last=Farjon |first=Aljos |date=2010 |title=A Handbook of the World's Conifers |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nqkKTQcGOtYC |location=Leiden |publisher=Brill |pages=795–796 |isbn=9789004177185 }}</ref> The trees can reach a height of {{convert|40|m}} at their tallest.<ref name="Earle" /> Some shrubby species have a decumbent growth habit. The primary [[branch]]es form pseudowhorls around the trunk. The bark can be scaly or fibrous and peeling with vertical strips. Terminal [[bud]]s are distinctive with bud scales that are often imbricate and can be spreading.<ref name="Farjon" />

The [[Leaf|leaves]] are simple and flattened, and may be sessile or short petiolate. The [[phyllotaxis]] or leaf arrangement is spiral, and may be subopposite on some shoots.<ref name="Farjon" /><ref name="foc">{{cite web |url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=126161 |title=''Podocarpus'' |date=1999 |website=eFloras: Flora of China |publisher=Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Mo. & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, Mass. |volume=4 |access-date=March 30, 2016}}</ref> The leaves are usually linear-lanceolate or linear-elliptic in shape, though they can be broader lanceolate, ovate, or nearly elliptic in some species.<ref name="Farjon" /><ref name="Earle" /><ref name="foc" /> Juvenile leaves are often larger than adult leaves, though similar in shape.<ref name="foc" /> The leaves are coriaceous and have a distinct midrib. The [[stoma]]ta are usually restricted to the abaxial or underside of the leaf, forming two stomatal bands around the midrib.<ref name="Farjon" />

''Podocarpus'' spp. are generally [[Dioecy|dioecious]], with the male pollen cones and female seed cones borne on separate individual plants, but some species may be [[Monoecy|monoecious]]. The [[Conifer cone|cones]] develop from [[axillary bud]]s, and may be solitary or form clusters.<ref name="Farjon" />

The pollen cones are long and [[catkin]]-like in shape. They may be sessile or short pedunculate. A pollen cone consists of a slender rachis with numerous spirally arranged microsporophylls around it. Each triangular microsporophyll has two basal [[pollen]]-producing pollen sacs. The pollen is bisaccate.<ref name="Farjon" />

The seed cones are highly modified with the few cone scales swelling and fusing at maturity. The cones are pedunculate and often solitary. The seed cone consists of two to five cone scales of which only the uppermost one or rarely two nearest the apex of the cone are fertile. Each fertile scale usually has one apical ovule. The infertile basal scales fuse and swell to form a succulent, usually brightly colored receptacle. Each cone generally has only one [[seed]], but may have two or rarely more. The seed is attached to the apex of the receptacle. The seed is entirely covered by a fleshy modified scale known as an epimatium. The epimatium is usually green, but may be bluish or reddish in some species.<ref name="Farjon" /><ref name="foc" />

<gallery>
Podocarpus henkelii 2.jpg|Leaves of [[Podocarpus henkelii|''P. henkelii'']]
Podocarpus macrophyllus flower.jpg|Male cones of [[Podocarpus macrophyllus|''P. macrophyllus'']] grow in clusters.
PodocarpusTotara.jpg|A seed cone of [[Podocarpus totara|''P. totara'']] showing a red receptacle and a green epimatium
Podocarpus elatus on sand.JPG|A seedling of [[Podocarpus elatus|''P. elatus'']]
</gallery>

== Distribution ==
The natural distribution of the genus consists of much of Africa, Asia, Australia, Central and South America, and several South Pacific islands. The genus occurs from southern Chile north to Mexico in the Americas and from New Zealand north to Japan in the Asia-Pacific region.<ref name="Farjon" />

''Podocarpus'' and the Podocarpaceae were [[endemism|endemic]] to the ancient supercontinent of [[Gondwana]], which broke up into [[Africa]], [[South America]], [[India]], [[Australia-New Guinea]], [[New Zealand]], and [[New Caledonia]] between 105 and 45 million years ago. ''Podocarpus'' is a characteristic tree of the [[Antarctic flora]], which originated in the cool, moist climate of southern Gondwana, and elements of the flora survive in the humid temperate regions of the former supercontinent. As the continents drifted north and became drier and hotter, podocarps and other members of the Antarctic flora generally retreated to humid regions, especially in Australia, where [[sclerophyll]] genera such as ''[[Acacia]]'' and ''[[Eucalyptus]]'' became predominant. The flora of [[Malesia]], which includes the [[Malay Peninsula|Malay peninsula]], Indonesia, the [[Philippines]], and New Guinea, is generally derived from Asia, but includes many elements of the old Gondwana flora, including several other genera in the Podocarpaceae (''[[Dacrycarpus]], [[Dacrydium]], [[Falcatifolium]], [[Nageia]], [[Phyllocladus]],'' and the Malesian endemic ''[[Sundacarpus]]''), and also ''[[Agathis]]'' in the [[Araucariaceae]].

==Classification==
[[Image:Podocarpus macrophyllus inumaki.JPG|thumb|''Podocarpus macrophyllus'' with mature seed cones]]{{More citations needed section|date=October 2023}}
The two subgenera, ''Podocarpus'' and ''Foliolatus'', are distinguished by cone and seed morphology.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 March 2023 |title=NParks {{!}} ''Podocarpus neriifolius'' |url=https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/3/0/3076 |access-date=7 October 2023 |website=National Parks Board (NParks)}}</ref>

In ''Podocarpus'', the cone is not subtended by lanceolate bracts, and the seed usually has an apical ridge. Species are distributed in the temperate forests of [[Tasmania]], [[New Zealand]], and southern [[Chile]], with a few occurring in the tropical highlands of Africa and the Americas.

In ''Foliolatus'', the cone is subtended by two lanceolate bracts ("foliola"), and the seed usually lacks an apical ridge. The species are tropical and subtropical, concentrated in eastern and southeastern Asia and Malesia, overlapping with subgenus ''Podocarpus'' in northeastern Australia and [[New Caledonia]].

Species in family Podocarpaceae have been reshuffled a number of times based on genetic and physiological evidence, with many species formerly assigned to  ''Podocarpus'' now assigned to other genera. A sequence of classification schemes has moved species between  ''[[Nageia]]'' and ''Podocarpus'', and in 1969, de Laubenfels divided the huge genus ''Podocarpus'' into ''Dacrycarpus, Decussocarpus'' (an invalid name he later revised to the valid ''[[Nageia]]''), ''[[Prumnopitys]]'', and ''Podocarpus''. Some species of genus ''[[Afrocarpus]]'' were formerly in ''Podocarpus'', such as ''[[Afrocarpus gracilior]]''.

{{cladogram|title=Phylogeny of ''Podocarpus''<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Stull |first1=Gregory W. |last2=Qu |first2=Xiao-Jian |last3=Parins-Fukuchi |first3=Caroline |last4=Yang |first4=Ying-Ying |last5=Yang |first5=Jun-Bo |last6=Yang |first6=Zhi-Yun |last7=Hu |first7=Yi  |last8=Ma |first8=Hong |last9=Soltis |first9=Pamela S. |last10=Soltis |first10=Douglas E. |last11=Li |first11=De-Zhu |last12=Smith |first12=Stephen A. |last13=Yi |first13=Ting-Shuang |display-authors=et al. |year=2021 |title=Gene duplications and phylogenomic conflict underlie major pulses of phenotypic evolution in gymnosperms |journal=Nature Plants |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-021-00964-4 |volume=7 |issue= 8|pages=1015–1025 |doi=10.1038/s41477-021-00964-4|biorxiv=10.1101/2021.03.13.435279 |pmid= 34282286|pmc= |bibcode= 2021NatPl...7.1015S|s2cid=232282918 |doi-access=}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |last1=Stull |first1=Gregory W. |display-authors=et al. |year=2021 |title=main.dated.supermatrix.tree.T9.tre |publisher=Figshare |doi=10.6084/m9.figshare.14547354.v1 |url=https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Gene_duplications_and_genomic_conflict_underlie_major_pulses_of_phenotypic_evolution_in_gymnosperms/14547354 |doi-access=}}</ref>|
{{clade|style=font-size:90%;line-height:90%;width:475px
|1={{clade
  |label1=('''''Podocarpus''''')
  |1={{clade
    |1={{clade
    |label1=
    |sublabel1=
      |1={{clade
        |1=''[[Podocarpus atjehensis|P. atjehensis]]'' <small>(Wasscher) de Laubenfels</small>
        |2=''[[Podocarpus nubigenus|P. nubigenus]]'' <small>Lindley</small>
         }}
       }}
    |2={{clade
      |1={{clade
        |label1=section
        |sublabel1=''Australis''
        |1={{clade
          |1={{clade
            |1=''[[Podocarpus nivalis|P. nivalis]]'' <small>Hooker</small>
            |2={{clade
              |1=''[[Podocarpus acutifolius|P. acutifolius]]'' <small>Kirk</small>
              |2=''[[Podocarpus totara|P. totara]]'' <small>Benn. ex Don</small>
               }}
             }}
          |2={{clade
            |1=''[[Podocarpus lawrencei|P. lawrencei]]'' <small>Hooker</small>
            |2={{clade
              |1=''[[Podocarpus laetus|P. laetus]]'' <small>Hooibr. ex Endlicher</small>
              |2={{clade
                |1=''[[Podocarpus gnidioides|P. gnidioides]]'' <small>Carrière</small>
                |2=''[[Podocarpus hallii|P. hallii]]'' <small>Kirk</small>
                 }}
               }}
             }}
           }}
         }}
      |2={{clade
        |1={{clade
          |label1=section
          |sublabel1=''Capitulatis''
          |1={{clade
            |1=''[[Podocarpus parlatorei|P. parlatorei]]'' <small>Pilger</small>
            |2={{clade
              |1={{clade
                |1=''[[Podocarpus glomeratus|P. glomeratus]]'' <small>Don</small>
                |2=''[[Podocarpus transiens|P. transiens]]'' <small>(Pilger) de Laubenfels</small>
                 }}
              |2={{clade
                |1=''[[Podocarpus lambertii|P. lambertii]]'' <small>Klotzsch ex Endlicher</small>
                |2=''[[Podocarpus sprucei|P. sprucei]]'' <small>Parlatore</small>
                 }}
               }}
             }}
          |label2=section
          |sublabel2=''Podocarpus''
          |2={{clade
            |1={{clade
              |1=''[[Podocarpus elongatus|P. elongatus]]'' <small>(Aiton) L'Héritier de Brutelle ex Persoon</small>
              |2={{clade
                |1=''[[Podocarpus latifolius|P. latifolius]]'' <small>(Thunberg) Brown ex de Mirbel</small>
                |2=''[[Podocarpus milanjianus|P. milanjianus]]'' <small>Rendle</small>
                 }}
               }}
            |2={{clade
              |1=''[[Podocarpus henkelii|P. henkelii]]'' <small>Stapf ex Dallim. & Jackson</small>
              |2={{clade
                |1=''[[Podocarpus capuronii|P. capuronii]]'' <small>de Laubenfels</small>
                |2=''[[Podocarpus madagascariensis|P. madagascariensis]]'' <small>Baker</small>
                 }}
               }}
             }}
           }}
        |2={{clade
          |label1=section
          |sublabel1=''Crassiformis''
          |1={{clade
            |1=''[[Podocarpus smithii|P. smithii]]'' <small>de Laubenfels</small>
            |2=''[[Podocarpus salignus|P. salignus]]'' <small>Don</small>
             }}
          |label2=section
          |sublabel2=''Nemoralis''
          |2={{clade
            |1=''[[Podocarpus matudae|P. matudae]]'' <small>Lundell</small>
            |2={{clade
              |1={{clade
                |1=''[[Podocarpus urbanii|P. urbanii]]'' <small>Pilger</small>
                |2={{clade
                  |1=''[[Podocarpus purdieanus|P. purdieanus]]'' <small>Hooker</small>
                  |2={{clade
                    |1=''[[Podocarpus aristulatus|P. aristulatus]]'' <small>Parlatore</small>
                    |2={{clade
                      |1=''[[Podocarpus ekmanii|P. ekmanii]]'' <small>Urb.</small>
                      |2={{clade
                        |1=''[[Podocarpus barretoi|P. barretoi]]'' <small>de Laubenfels & Silba</small>
                        |2={{clade
                          |1=''[[Podocarpus angustifolius|P. angustifolius]]'' <small>Grisebach</small>
                          |2=''[[Podocarpus rusbyi|P. rusbyi]]'' <small>Buchholz & Gray</small>
                           }}
                         }}
                       }}
                     }}
                   }}
                 }}
              |2={{clade
                |1=''[[Podocarpus hispaniolensis|P. hispaniolensis]]'' <small>de Laubenfels</small>
                |2={{clade
                  |1={{clade
                    |1=''[[Podocarpus celatus|P. celatus]]'' <small>de Laubenfels</small>
                    |2=''[[Podocarpus oleifolius|P. oleifolius]]'' <small>Don</small>
                     }}
                  |2={{clade
                    |1=''[[Podocarpus sellowii|P. sellowii]]'' <small>Klotzsch ex Endlicher</small>
                    |2={{clade
                      |1=''[[Podocarpus costaricensis|P. costaricensis]]'' <small>de Laubenfels</small>
                      |2={{clade
                        |1={{clade
                          |1=''[[Podocarpus brasiliensis|P. brasiliensis]]'' <small>de Laubenfels</small>
                          |2=''[[Podocarpus guatemalensis|P. guatemalensis]]'' <small>Standley</small>
                           }}
                        |2={{clade
                          |1=''[[Podocarpus coriaceus|P. coriaceus]]'' <small>Richard & Richard</small>
                          |2={{clade
                            |1=''[[Podocarpus magnifolius|P. magnifolius]]'' <small>Buchholz & Gray</small>
                            |2=''[[Podocarpus trinitensis|P. trinitensis]]'' <small>Buchholz & Gray</small>
                             }}
                           }}
                         }}
                       }}
                     }}
                   }}
                 }}
               }}
             }}
           }}
         }}
       }}
     }}
  |label2=('''''Foliolatus''''')
  |2={{clade
    |1={{clade
      |label1=section
      |sublabel1=''Spinulosus''
      |1={{clade
        |1=''[[Podocarpus drouynianus|P. drouynianus]]'' <small>von Mueller</small>
        |2={{clade
          |1=''[[Podocarpus spinulosus|P. spinulosus]]'' <small>(Smith) Br. ex de Mirbel</small>
          |2={{clade
            |1=''[[Podocarpus glaucus|P. glaucus]]'' <small>Foxworthy</small>
            |2=''[[Podocarpus rostratus|P. rostratus]]'' <small>Laurent</small>
             }}
           }}
         }}
       }}
    |2={{clade
      |1=''[[Podocarpus decumbens|P. decumbens]]'' <small>Gray</small>
      |2={{clade
        |label1=section
        |sublabel1=''Longifoliolati''
        |1={{clade
          |1={{clade
            |1=''[[Podocarpus longifoliolatus|P. longifoliolatus]]'' <small>Pilger</small>
            |2=''[[Podocarpus novae-caledoniae|P. novae-caledoniae]]'' <small>Vieillard ex Brongniart & Gris</small>
             }}
          |2={{clade
            |1={{clade
              |1=''[[Podocarpus rumphii|P. rumphii]]'' <small>Blume</small>
              |2={{clade
                |1=''[[Podocarpus grayae|P. grayae]]'' <small>de Laubenfels</small>
                |2={{clade
                  |1=''[[Podocarpus elatus|P. elatus]]'' <small>Br. ex Endlicher</small>
                  |2=''[[Podocarpus polystachyus|P. polystachyus]]'' <small>Br. ex Endlicher</small>
                   }}
                 }}
               }}
            |2={{clade
              |1=''[[Podocarpus beecherae|P. beecherae]]'' <small>de Laubenfels</small>
              |2={{clade
                |1=''[[Podocarpus sylvestris|P. sylvestris]]'' <small>Buchholz</small>
                |2={{clade
                  |1=''[[Podocarpus lucienii|P. lucienii]]'' <small>de Laubenfels</small>
                  |2=''[[Podocarpus polyspermus|P. polyspermus]]'' <small>de Laubenfels</small>
                   }}
                 }}
               }}
             }}
           }}
        |label2=section
        |sublabel2=''Foliolati''
        |2={{clade
          |1=''[[Podocarpus brassii|P. brassii]]'' <small>Pilger</small>
          |2={{clade
            |1=''[[Podocarpus dispermus|P. dispermus]]'' <small>White</small>
            |2={{clade
              |1={{clade
                |1=''[[Podocarpus ramosii|P. ramosii]]'' <small>Mill</small>
                |2=''[[Podocarpus rubens|P. rubens]]'' <small>de Laubenfels</small>
                 }}
              |2={{clade
                |1=''[[Podocarpus archboldii|P. archboldii]]'' <small>Gray</small>
                |2={{clade
                  |1=''[[Podocarpus crassigemmis|P. crassigemmis]]'' <small>de Laubenfels</small>
                  |2={{clade
                    |1=''[[Podocarpus salomoniensis|P. salomoniensis]]'' <small>Wasscher</small>
                    |2={{clade
                      |1=''[[Podocarpus brevifolius|P. brevifolius]]'' <small>(Stapf) Foxworthy</small>
                      |2={{clade
                        |1=''[[Podocarpus ledermannii|P. ledermannii]]'' <small>Pilger</small>
                        |2={{clade
                          |1={{clade
                            |1=''[[Podocarpus pallidus|P. pallidus]]'' <small>Gray</small>
                            |2={{clade
                              |1=''[[Podocarpus decipiens|P. decipiens]]'' <small>Gray</small>
                              |2=''[[Podocarpus degeneri|P. degeneri]]'' <small>(Gray) de Laubenfels</small>
                               }}
                             }}
                          |2={{clade
                            |1={{clade
                              |1=''[[Podocarpus affinis|P. affinis]]'' <small>Seemann</small>
                              |2={{clade
                                |1=''[[Podocarpus insularis|P. insularis]]'' <small>de Laubenfels</small>
                                |2={{clade
                                  |1=''[[Podocarpus annamiensis|P. annamiensis]]'' <small>Gray</small>
                                  |2={{clade
                                    |1=''[[Podocarpus bracteatus|P. bracteatus]]'' <small>Blume</small>
                                    |2=''[[Podocarpus pseudobracteatus|P. pseudobracteatus]]'' <small>de Laubenfels</small>
                                     }}
                                   }}
                                 }}
                               }}
                            |2={{clade
                              |1={{clade
                                |1=''[[Podocarpus spathoides|P. spathoides]]'' <small>de Laubenfels</small>
                                |2=''[[Podocarpus teysmannii|P. teysmannii]]'' <small>Miquel</small>
                                 }}
                              |2={{clade
                                |1=''[[Podocarpus gibbsiae|P. gibbsiae]]'' <small>N.E.Gray</small>
                                |2={{clade
                                  |1={{clade
                                    |1=''[[Podocarpus subtropicalis|P. subtropicalis]]'' <small>de Laubenfels</small>
                                    |2={{clade
                                      |1=''[[Podocarpus deflexus|P. deflexus]]'' <small>Ridley</small>
                                      |2={{clade
                                        |1=''[[Podocarpus costalis|P. costalis]]'' <small>Presl</small>
                                        |2=''[[Podocarpus philippinensis|P. philippinensis]]'' <small>Foxw.</small>
                                         }}
                                       }}
                                     }}
                                  |2={{clade
                                    |1={{clade
                                      |1=''[[Podocarpus salicifolius|P. salicifolius]]'' <small>Klotzsch & Karsten ex Endlicher</small>
                                      |2={{clade
                                        |1=''[[Podocarpus chingianus|P. chingianus]]'' <small>Hu</small>
                                        |2=''[[Podocarpus pilgeri|P. pilgeri]]'' <small>Foxworthy</small>
                                         }}
                                       }}
                                    |2={{clade
                                      |1=''[[Podocarpus neriifolius|P. neriifolius]]'' <small>Don</small>
                                      |2={{clade
                                        |1=''[[Podocarpus lophatus|P. lophatus]]'' <small>de Laubenfels</small>
                                        |2={{clade
                                          |1=''[[Podocarpus nakaii|P. nakaii]]'' <small>Hayata</small>
                                          |2={{clade
                                            |1=''[[Podocarpus laubenfelsii|P. laubenfelsii]]'' <small>Tiong</small>
                                            |2={{clade
                                              |1=''[[Podocarpus forrestii|P. forrestii]]'' <small>Craib & Smith</small>
                                              |2={{clade
                                                |1=''[[Podocarpus fasciculus|P. fasciculus]]'' <small>de Laubenfels</small>
                                                |2=''[[Podocarpus macrophyllus|P. macrophyllus]]'' <small>(Thunberg) Sweet</small>
                                                 }}
                                               }}
                                             }}
                                           }}
                                         }}
                                       }}
                                     }}
                                   }}
                                 }}
                               }}
                             }}
                           }}
                         }}
                       }}
                     }}
                   }}
                 }}
               }}
             }}
           }}
         }}
       }}
     }}
   }}
}}
}}

===Species===
In 1985 [[David John de Laubenfels|David J. de Laubenfels]] divided the genus into two subgenera, ''Podocarpus'' and ''Foliolatus'', and further divided each subgenus into nine sections.<ref name = Laubenfels>de Laubenfels, D. J. (1985). A taxonomic revision of the genus Podocarpus. ''Blumea'' 30: 251–278.</ref> Robert Reid Mill wrote (2015) that while the two subgenera have been strongly supported by subsequent evidence, the sections are "mostly are poorly supported by molecular evidence".<ref>Mill, R. R. “A Monographic Revision of the Genus ''Podocarpus'' (Podocarpaceae): III. The Species of the Central America and Northern Mexico Bioregions.” ''Edinburgh Journal of Botany'' 72, no. 2 (2015): 243–341. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0960428615000050.</ref> In 2015 de Laubenfels revised the sections of subgenus ''Foliolatus''.<ref name = Foliolatus>David J. de Laubenfels "New Sections and Species of ''Podocarpus'' Based on the Taxonomic Status of ''P. neriifolius'' (Podocarpaceae) in Tropical Asia", ''Novon: A Journal for Botanical Nomenclature'' 24(2), 133–152, (22 September 2015). https://doi.org/10.3417/2012091</ref>
* Subgenus ''Podocarpus''<ref name = Laubenfels/>
** section ''Podocarpus'' (eastern and southern [[Africa]])
*** ''[[Podocarpus elongatus]]'' {{small|(Aiton) L'Hér. ex Pers.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus latifolius]]'' {{small|(Thunb.) R.Br. ex Mirb.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus milanjianus]]'' {{small|Rendle}}
** section ''Scytopodium'' ([[Madagascar]], eastern Africa)
*** ''[[Podocarpus capuronii]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus henkelii]]'' {{small|Stapf ex Dallim. & A.B.Jacks}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus humbertii]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus madagascariensis]]'' {{small|Baker}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus perrieri]]'' {{small|Gaussen & Woltz}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus rostratus]]'' {{small|J.Laurent}}
** section ''Australis'' (southeast [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[New Caledonia]], southern [[Chile]]) [[Image:PodocarpusTotara2.jpg|thumb|right|[[Podocarpus totara|''P. totara'']]]]
*** ''[[Podocarpus acutifolius]]'' {{small|Kirk}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus gnidioides]]'' {{small|Carrière}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus laetus]]'' {{small|Hooibr. ex Endl.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus lawrencii]]'' {{small|Hook.f.}} (synonym ''Podocarpus alpinus'' {{small|R.Br. ex Hook.f.}})
*** ''[[Podocarpus × loderi]]'' {{small|Cockayne}} (''P. laetus'' × ''P. totara'')
*** ''[[Podocarpus nivalis]]'' {{small|Hook.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus nubigenus]]'' {{small|Lindl.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus totara]]'' {{small|G.Benn. ex D.Don}}
** section ''Crassiformis'' (northeast [[Queensland]])
*** ''[[Podocarpus smithii]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
** section ''Capitulatis'' (central Chile, southern [[Brazil]], the [[Andes]] from northern [[Argentina]] to [[Ecuador]])
*** ''[[Podocarpus aracensis]]'' {{small|de Laub. & Silba}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus glomeratus]]'' {{small|D.Don}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus lambertii]]'' {{small|Klotzsch ex Endl.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus parlatorei]]'' {{small|Pilg.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus salignus]]'' {{small|D.Don}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus sellowii]]'' {{small|Klotzsch ex Endl.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus sprucei]]'' {{small|Parl.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus transiens]]'' {{small|(Pilg.) de Laub.}}
**section ''Pratensis'' (southeast [[Mexico]] to [[Guyana]] and [[Peru]]) [[Image:Podocarpus oleifolius-IMG 8771.JPG|thumb|right|[[Podocarpus oleifolius|''P. oleifolius'']]]]
*** ''[[Podocarpus oleifolius]]'' {{small|D.Don}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus pendulifolius]]'' {{small|J.Buchholz & N.E.Gray}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus tepuiensis]]'' {{small|J.Buchholz & N.E.Gray}}
**section ''Lanceolatis'' (southern Mexico, [[Puerto Rico]], [[Lesser Antilles]], [[Venezuela]] to highland [[Bolivia]])
*** ''[[Podocarpus coriaceus]]'' {{small|Rich.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus matudae]]'' {{small|Lundell}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus rusbyi]]'' {{small|J.Buchholz & N.E.Gray}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus salicifolius]]'' {{small|Klotzsch & H.Karst. ex Endl.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus steyermarkii]]'' {{small|J.Buchholz & N.E.Gray}}
**section ''Pumilis'' (southern [[Caribbean islands]] and [[Guiana Highlands]])
*** ''[[Podocarpus angustifolius]]'' {{small|Griseb.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus aristulatus]]'' {{small|Parl.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus buchii]]'' {{small|Urb.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus ekmanii]]'' {{small|Urb.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus hispaniolensis]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus roraimae]]'' {{small|Pilg.}} (synonym ''Podocarpus buchholzii'' {{small|de Laub.}}) 
*** ''[[Podocarpus urbanii]]'' {{small|Pilg.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus victorinianus]]'' {{small|Carabia}}
**section ''Nemoralis'' (central and northern [[South America]], south to Bolivia)
*** ''[[Podocarpus acuminatus]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus brasiliensis]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus celatus]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus costaricensis]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus guatemalensis]]'' {{small|Standl.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus magnifolius]]'' {{small|J.Buchholz & N.E.Gray}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus purdieanus]]'' {{small|Hook.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus trinitensis]]'' {{small|J.Buchholz & N.E.Gray}}
* Subgenus ''Foliolatus''<ref name = Foliolatus/>
** section ''Acuminatus'' (Sikkim, India to [[Borneo]], New Guinea, [[New Britain]], and northern Queensland)
*** ''[[Podocarpus dispermus]]'' {{small|C.T.White}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus hookeri]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus ledermannii]]'' {{small|Pilg.}} (section type)
*** ''[[Podocarpus marginalis]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus micropedunculatus]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
** section ''Bracteatus'' (Sumatra to Fiji)
*** ''[[Podocarpus atjehensis]]'' {{small|(Wasscher) de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus bracteatus]]'' {{small|Blume}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus confertus]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus degeneri]]'' {{small|(N.E.Gray) de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus pseudobracteatus]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
** section ''Foliolatus'' ([[Nepal]] to [[Sumatra]], the [[Philippines]], and [[New Guinea]] to [[Tonga]]) [[Image:Podocarpus neriifolius in Koishikawa gardens.jpg|thumb|right|[[Podocarpus neriifolius|''P. neriifolius'']]]]
*** ''[[Podocarpus idenburgensis]]'' {{small|N.E.Gray}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus insularis]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus neolinearis]]'' {{small|Idrees & Z.Yong Zhang}} (syn. ''Podocarpus linearis'' {{small|de Laub.}})
*** ''[[Podocarpus neglectus]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus neriifolius]]'' {{small|D.Don}} (section type)
*** ''[[Podocarpus pallidus]]'' {{small|N.E.Gray}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus rubens]]'' {{small|de Laub.}} (synonym ''Podocarpus indonesiensis'' {{small|de Laub. & Silba}})
*** ''[[Podocarpus vanuatuensis]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
** section ''Globulus'' ([[Taiwan]] to [[Vietnam]], Sumatra and Borneo, and New Caledonia)
*** ''[[Podocarpus annamiensis]]'' {{small|N.E.Gray}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus beecherae]]'' {{small|de Laub.}} (section type)
*** ''[[Podocarpus globulus]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus lucienii]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus nakaii]]'' {{small|Hayata}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus oblongus]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus sylvestris]]'' {{small|J.Buchholz}} (syn. ''Podocarpus colliculatus'' {{small|(N.E.Gray) de Laub.}})<ref>[https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:828346-1 ''Podocarpus sylvestris'' J.Buchholz]. ''[[Plants of the World Online]]''. Retrieved 8 January 2024.</ref>
*** ''[[Podocarpus teysmannii]]'' {{small|Miq.}} (syn. ''Podocarpus epiphyticus'' {{small|de Laub. & Silba}})
**section ''Longifoliolatus'' (Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra east to [[Fiji]])
*** ''[[Podocarpus decipiens]]'' {{small|N.E.Gray}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus decumbens]]'' {{small|N.E.Gray}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus deflexus]]'' {{small|Ridl.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus levis]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus longifoliolatus]]'' {{small|Pilg.}} (section type)
*** ''[[Podocarpus novoguineensis]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus polyspermus]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus salomoniensis]]'' {{small|Wasscher}}
**section ''Gracilis'' (southern [[China]], across Malesia to Fiji)
*** ''[[Podocarpus affinis]]'' {{small|Seem.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus glaucus]]'' {{small|Foxw.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus pilgeri]]'' {{small|Foxw.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus ramosii]]'' {{small|R.R.Mill}}
** section ''Macrostachyus'' (Eastern India to New Guinea)
*** ''[[Podocarpus archboldii]]'' {{small|N.E.Gray}} (syn. ''Podocarpus crassigemmis'' {{small|de Laub.}}) (section type)
*** ''[[Podocarpus brassii]]'' {{small|Pilg.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus brevifolius]]'' {{small|(Stapf) Foxw.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus lenticularis]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus palawanensis]]'' {{small|de Laub. & Silba}}
** section ''Rumphius'' ([[Hainan]], south through Malesia to northern Queensland)
*** ''[[Podocarpus grayae]]'' {{small|de Laub.}} (aka ''P. grayii'' and ''P. grayi'')
*** ''[[Podocarpus laubenfelsii]]'' {{small|Tiong}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus rumphii]]'' {{small|Blume}}
** section ''Polystachyus'' (southern China and Japan, through Malaya to New Guinea and northeast Australia)
*** ''[[Podocarpus chingianus]]'' {{small|S.Y.Hu}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus elatus]]'' {{small|R.Br. ex Endl.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus fasciculus]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus macrocarpus]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus macrophyllus]]'' {{small|(Thunb.) Sweet}}
**** ''Podocarpus macrophyllus'' var. ''macrophyllus'' {{small|(Thunb.) Sweet}}
**** [[Podocarpus macrophyllus var. maki|''Podocarpus macrophyllus'' var. ''maki'']] {{small|Siebold & Zucc.}} (syn. ''Podocarpus chinensis'' {{small|Wall. ex Benn.}})
*** ''[[Podocarpus polystachyus]]'' {{small|R.Br. ex Endl.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus ridleyi]]'' {{small|(Wasscher) N.E.Gray}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus subtropicalis]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
** section ''Spathoides'' (southern China to New Caledonia)
*** ''[[Podocarpus borneensis]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus costalis]]'' {{small|C.Presl}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus forrestii]]'' {{small|Craib & W.W.Sm.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus gibbsiae]]'' {{small|N.E.Gray}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus laminaris]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus lophatus]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus novae-caledoniae]]'' {{small|Vieill. ex Brongn. & Gris}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus orarius]]'' {{small|R.R.Mill & M.Whiting}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus spathoides]]'' {{small|de Laub.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus thevetiifolius]]'' {{small|Zipp. ex Blume}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus tixieri]]'' {{small|Gaussen ex Silba}}
** section ''Spinulosus'' (southeast and southwest coasts of Australia)
*** ''[[Podocarpus drouynianus]]'' {{small|F.Muell.}}
*** ''[[Podocarpus spinulosus]]'' {{small|(Sm.) R.Br. ex Mirb.}}

==Allergenic potential==
Male ''Podocarpus'' spp. are extremely allergenic, and have an [[OPALS (Ogren Plant Allergy Scale)|OPALS]] allergy-scale rating of 10 out of 10. Conversely, completely female ''Podocarpus'' plants have an OPALS rating of 1, and are considered "allergy-fighting", as they capture pollen while producing none.<ref name="Ogren">{{cite book|last1=Ogren|first1=Thomas|title=The Allergy-Fighting Garden|date=2015|publisher=Ten Speed Press|location=Berkeley, Calif. |isbn=978-1-60774-491-7|pages=171–172}}</ref>

''Podocarpus'' resemble [[yew]]s, and as with yews, the stems, leaves, flowers, and pollen of ''Podocarpus'' are all poisonous. Additionally, the leaves, stems, bark, and pollen are [[cytotoxicity|cytotoxic]]. The male ''Podocarpus'' blooms and releases this cytotoxic pollen in the spring and early summer.

==Uses==
The earliest use of ''P. elongatus'' dates back to the southern African [[Middle Stone Age]] where it was used to produce an adhesive by distillation.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Schmidt |first1=P. |display-authors=etal |year=2022 |title=Archaeoogical adhesives made from ''Podocarpus'' document innovative potential in the African Middle Stone Age|journal=PNAS |volume=119 |issue=40 |pages=e2209592119 |doi=10.1073/pnas.2209592119 |pmid=36161935 |pmc=9546601 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2022PNAS..11909592S }}</ref> Today, several species of ''Podocarpus'' are grown as garden trees, or trained into hedges, espaliers, or screens. In the novel ''[[Jurassic Park]]'' by [[Michael Crichton]], ''Podocarpus'' trees (misspelled as "protocarpus") were used on Isla Nublar, Costa Rica, to conceal electric fences from visitors.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Crichton |first=Michael |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/22511027 |title=Jurassic Park : a novel |date=1990 |isbn=0-394-58816-9 |publisher=Knopf |location=New York |oclc=22511027}}</ref> Common garden species used for their attractive deep-green foliage and neat habits include ''P. macrophyllus'', known commonly as Buddhist pine, fern pine, or ''kusamaki'', ''P. salignus'' from Chile, and ''P. nivalis'', a smaller, red-fleshy-coned shrub. Some members of the genera ''Nageia'', ''Prumnopitys'', and ''[[Afrocarpus]]'' are marketed under the genus name ''Podocarpus''.

The red, purple, or bluish fleshy cone (popularly called a "fruit") of most species of ''Podocarpus'' are edible, raw or cooked into jams or pies. They have a mucilaginous texture with a slightly sweet flavor. They are slightly toxic, so should be eaten only in small amounts, especially when raw.<!-- Tolerates drought, deer, disease, seaside --><ref>[http://www.budgetplants.com/trees/screening/fern-pine-podocarpus-gracilior Data sheet - ''Podocarpus'']. budgetplants.com.</ref>

Some species of ''Podocarpus'' are used in systems of [[traditional medicine]] for conditions such as [[fever]]s, [[cough]]s, [[arthritis]], [[sexually transmitted disease]]s, and [[canine distemper]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Abdillahi |first1=H. S. |display-authors=etal |year=2011 |title=Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase and phenolic contents of four ''Podocarpus'' species used in traditional medicine in South Africa |journal=Journal of Ethnopharmacology |volume=136 |issue=3 |pages=496–503 |pmid=20633623 |doi=10.1016/j.jep.2010.07.019}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*de Laubenfels, D. J. (1985). A taxonomic revision of the genus ''Podocarpus''. ''Blumea'' 30(2), 251–78.
*Farjon, A. ''World Checklist and Bibliography of Conifers'' 2nd Edition. [[Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew|Kew]], Richmond, UK. 2001. {{ISBN|978-1-84246-025-2}}

{{Acrogymnospermae classification}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q157524}}
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[[Category:Podocarpus| ]]
[[Category:Podocarpaceae genera]]
[[Category:Dioecious plants]]
[[Category:Plants described in 1807]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Christiaan Hendrik Persoon]]