Podocarpus is a compact, evergreen, conifer shrub in the podocarp family (Podocarpaceae). Its origin is southern China, Taiwan and Japan. The species epithet means “large leaf.” Podocarpus grows well in coastal and piedmont North Carolina and grows up to 6.5 feet tall, although the tree form of this plant can grow up to 50 feet. In colder regions, it can be used as a container plant to be brought in from the outdoors during the winter months. It prefers rich, slightly acidic, moist, well-drained, fertile soils in full sun to partial shade. The plant is tolerant of shade but intolerant of wet soils. This plant likes medium relative humidity and has a slow growth rate. It is salt and drought tolerant and displays some tolerance to heat. The foliage is pleasantly fragrant when crushed. The pollen cones are yellowish and elongated, the seeds are light blue and fleshy, and the seed stalk enlarged and red. While these fleshy red arils are edible, children may be tempted to eat the round seeds, which are poisonous. This plant can also be grown as a specimen and background plant. It can be grown as a large hedge or screen. It adapts well to shearing and is sometimes used in topiary design. Quick ID Hints: Densely compact shrub with alternate, spirally arranged, linear leaves. Midrib of flattened leaves raised on both sides. Evergreen gymnosperm. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Indoor plants may develop scale. Chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves) occurs in alkaline soils.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Columnar; Pyramidal
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Other/more complex
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery; Waxy
Leaf value
Fragrant; Long-lasting
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are alternate, simple, congested and spirally arranged, broad linear-lanceolate, flattened, bluntly acute, yew-like, leathery, narrow, dark green in color and with a lighter midrib that is distinct on both surfaces. Leaves are arranged in dense spirals. They are fragrant when bruised.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower detail
Non-flowering; pollen cones yellowish and elongated
Fruit color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Purple/Lavender
Fruit value
Edible; Good Cut
Fruit size
1-3 inches long
Fruit detail
Female cones have 1-2 seeds borne on top of a swollen, fleshy aril. The aril is purplish and less than an inch in diameter. Male cones are clustered in yellowish-green strobili. Aril's are edible but seeds are poisonous.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Southern China to Northern Myanmar, Taiwan, Japan
Wildlife value
Birds are attracted to the fruit
Attracts
Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Edibility
Fruits may be eaten out of hand or added to pies, cakes, and jellies.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Container; Houseplants; Patio; Walkways
Landscape theme
English Garden; Shade Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Foundation Planting; Hedge; Screen/Privacy; Specimen