Podocarpus nivalis

Podocarpus nivalis
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
(unranked):	Gymnosperms
Division:	Pinophyta
Class:	Pinopsida
Order:	Pinales
Family:	Podocarpaceae
Genus:	Podocarpus
Species:	P. nivalis
Binomial name
	Podocarpus nivalis; Hook.

Podocarpus nivalis, the mountain or snow tōtara, is a species of conifer in the family Podocarpaceae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

Name and etymology[]

Podocarpus nivalis was first described and drawn by W.J. Hooker in 1843 in his Icones Plantarum. The plant described was found on Mount Tongariro, on the North Island of New Zealand, by William Colenso, "near the limits of perpetual snow".^[3]

The species name "nivalis" means "growing in or near the snow."^[4] A vernacular name for the plant is "alpine tōtara".^[5]

Description[]

Podocarpus nivalis grows as a shrub of 20-40 cm. with spreading branches. It can also be semi-erect and up to 2 or 3m tall. Branches that contact the soil often root.^[6] It forms mats of a few square metres.^[5]

Leaves are thick, rigid and close together. They are arranged spirally and are a brownish green colour when they age.^[6] The leaves are 3-10 mm long and 2-2,5 mm wide and boat-shaped (naviculate) to ovate-linear. They may be curved outwards or down. The leaves are obtuse or mucronate at the apex.^[5]

Distribution[]

This species is found in the North Island south of Mt Hikurangi and Mt Pirongia and in the South Island.^[6]

Cultivation and uses[]

It is one of the hardiest podocarps of the Southern Hemisphere, it has withstood minus 25 °C (minus 13 °F) in the British Isles, and survives long periods under snow in its native habitat, close to the tree line in NZ's high mountains. It needs high rainfall to grow well.

References[]

^ Farjon, A. (2013). "Podocarpus nivalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T42522A2984790. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42522A2984790.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
^ "Podocarpus nivalis Hook". New Zealand Organisms Register. Landcare Research New Zealand. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
^ Icones Plantarum, vol 2 of the New Series, or vol 6 of the entire work, Tab. 582 (see the next page for the drawing).
^ Farjon 2017, p. 897.
^ ^a ^b ^c Farjon 2017, p. 898.
^ ^a ^b ^c Eagle 2008, p. 14.

Sources[]

Eagle, Audrey (2008). Eagle's complete trees and shrubs of New Zealand. Vol. 1. Wellington: Te Papa Press. ISBN 9780909010089. QID Q63848025.
Farjon, Aljos (2017). Handbook of the World's Conifers. Leiden: Brill. OCLC 971248835 (all editions).