Tasmanian Podocarp (Podocarpus alpinus)

Family: Podocarpaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Podocarpus alpinus is an evergreen Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft) by 2.5 m (8ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet flavour. — Fruit - raw or cooked.; The fruit is about 6mm x 5mm in size with a single seed.; Although we have seen no specific reports of edibility for this fruit, it is closely related to other species with edible fruits and is very unlikely to be poisonous - we have indeed eaten it on a number of occasions and it has a mucilaginous texture with a slightly sweet flavour.

Habitat & North American Range

Screes and ridges in alpine and subalpine areas. (Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)