Woody > Podocarpus > Podocarpus costalis > Podocarpus costalis
Podocarpus costalis
Monteverde Yew
Origin: Native to the Philippines and Taiwan. Introduced to Cornwall, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Mike's
Opinion
"
Podocarpus costalis C. Presl is an elegant species of conifer that hails from the tropical regions of the Philippines and Taiwan. This shrubby tree is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of nature, thriving in island scrub, low forest, or in a limestone bluff or sea stack habitat.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Podocarpaceae |
| Genus |
| Podocarpus |
| Species |
| costalis |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (evergreen) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 8b - 9a |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 6 |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H3 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| (-5) - 1 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 23 - 33.8 |
| Height |
| 5 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| This is a shrubby tree that is mostly up to 5 m tall. The bark is smooth, green, and peels into thin flakes. The crown is broad, with numerous horizontally contorted branches bearing branchlets densely clothed with foliage. Twigs are short, stout, light green, and inconspicuously grooved between the attached leaf bases. |
| Landscape |
| This plant grows in island scrub, low forest, or in a limestone bluff or sea stack habitat. It is often found on karst limestone, including sea stacks. It is found at elevations from sea level to nearly 300 meters. |
| Cultivation |
| Podocarpus costalis prefers fertile soil with excellent drainage. It can grow in full sun or partial shade. For creating a dense evergreen hedgerow, Podocarpus shrubs should be planted about 60 cm apart. When trimming Podocarpus shrubs for hedges, it is recommended not to shear the plant’s sides as they need to grow together. |
| Shape |
| The branches are described as spreading horizontally. The terminal buds are ovoid, abruptly narrowing at the apex to a slender point, or somewhat truncate, 2–4 × 3–4 mm, with free triangular scales. The leaves on juvenile plants are linear-lanceolate, straight, growing to 9 × 1–1.3 cm, apex acute to rounded. |
| Growth |
| Medium |
| ID Characteristic |
| The branchlets are spreading to assurgent, with leaves clustered on shaded shoots, more evenly spaced on young shoots. Terminal buds are ovoid, abruptly narrowing at the apex to a slender point, or somewhat truncate, 2–4 × 3–4 mm, with free triangular scales. Leaves on juvenile plants are linear-lanceolate, straight, to 9 × 1–1.3 cm, apex acute to rounded. Leaves on adult plants are oblong to linear and very densely set. |
| Pests |
| Podocarpus aphid can infest the plant. They can cause the leaves to curl, turn yellow, or distort. Aphids also excrete a sticky substance called honeydew which can lead to the growth of sooty mold. Armoured scales, such as the California red scale, can also affect Podocarpus costalis. These are small insects that attach themselves to the plant and feed on its sap. They can cause yellowing of leaves, stunted growth, and in severe cases, death of the plant. |
| Habitat |
| This plant is native to the Philippines and Taiwan. In the Philippines, it can be found from the Bucas Islands to the Batan Islands, and possibly in Northeastern Luzon. In Taiwan, it is found on Lanyu Island, which is off the southeast coast. It grows in island scrub, low forest, or in a limestone bluff or sea stack habitat, growing at elevations from sea level to nearly 300 meters. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| The bark of Podocarpus costalis is described as greenish and very smooth. It peels in thin flakes. The branches of the plant are spreading horizontally. The twigs are short, stout, and light green, with inconspicuous grooves between the attached leaf bases. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| The receptacle is 10–14 mm, subtended by 2 bracts 1–1.5 mm long, and is reddish-purple ripening dark pruinose-purple. The foliage buds of Podocarpus costalis are 2-4 × 2-4 mm in size, consisting of long, triangular scales with spreading apices. |
| Leaf Description |
| The leaves are leathery and last for 2-4 years. They are linear to linear-oblanceolate in shape. The adult leaves are 4-7 cm long and 5-10 mm wide and can be as small as 2.5 cm on short side branches. The juvenile leaves are larger, up to 9 cm long and 13 mm wide. The leaves are dull bluish-green above and yellowish-green beneath. |
| Flower Description |
| The pollen cones are solitary, sessile, and short-cylindrical, measuring 8–30 (–35) × 6–8 mm at maturity. |
| Fruit Description |
| The seeds are ovoid, covered in a greenish or pruinose Epimedium, and dark blue at maturity, measuring 8–10 × 6–7 mm. The seed cones are borne near the end of foliage branchlets and are pedunculate. |
| Colour Description |
| The reproductive part with two unequal bracts, these and the axis become swollen and juicy, bright red to purple, and 10-15 mm long by 8-9 mm thick. |
| Texture Description |
| The branchlets are spreading to assurgent, with leaves clustered on shaded shoots, more evenly spaced on young shoots. The leaves are densely and evenly standing out from or forward around and along the twigs, or more concentrated near the tips. They are leathery, lasting 2-4 years. The seed cones are on a short, leafless stalk 4-6 mm long, with a pair of 1.5 mm long needle-like bracteoles that are quickly shed. The reproductive part with two unequal bracts, these and the axis become swollen and juicy. The seeds are covered in a leathery texture over a hard inner shell. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Tregrehan in Cornwall, United Kingdom. It has reached a height of approximately 1 meter after 15 years. The Taiwan Forestry Research Institute has distributed seeds of Podocarpus costalis, which have been grown in several collections, including Logan Botanic Garden in southwest Scotland. |
| Propagation |
| Propagation is achieved through stem cuttings collected from healthy parent plants during the growing season when actively growing. Softwood cuttings taken during spring or early summer have higher rooting success rates than hardwood cuttings taken later in the season. Use a small branch of new growth over 6 cm long and cut it from the tree. You’ll want to remove any leaves near the cut end. Dip the end into a rooting hormone and plant in a small pot with soil that drains well. Keep the soil moist and roots should form. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| Podocarpus costalis is a popular ornamental plant used in gardens and parks. Its unique appearance and adaptability to various climates make it a favourite among gardeners. It is used in bonsai due to its small size and attractive foliage. Furthermore, the plant’s ability to be pruned and shaped makes it an ideal candidate for bonsai. The fruit of Podocarpus costalis is edible; however, it’s important to note that while the fruit is edible, other parts of the plant may not be safe to consume. The plant is often collected from the wild to satisfy horticultural demands. However, this practice has led to its status as an endangered species, and collection from the wild is now illegal in its native countries. |
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