Family: Podocarpaceae
Podocarpus: derived from Latin pous= foot, and karpos= fruit, referring to the fleshy fruit stems.
elatus: is Latin for tall.
Common names: Plum pine, Illawarra plum, Djerren Djerren (Eora)
Overview
P. elatus is a tall conifer that inhabits pockets of dry rainforest between the Illawarra region of the NSW coast and North Queensland. Fruiting cones on female trees produce fleshy scales or pseudo fruit, being somewhat plum-like and quite edible. Sometimes referred to as Illawarra plums, they are very popular for making jams and preserves and have high antioxidant value.
The antioxidant effects are due to the presence of anthocyanidins, chemicals responsible for the purple colour. and other polyphenols. The species is currently being evaluated as having a role in cancer treatment. P. elatus is also useful as a timber tree, and for selective planting in urban environments.
Description
Tall evergreen conifer with a straight trunk, brown furrowed bark, and a horizontal branching pattern. Leaves are oblong-linear, up to 14cm long and averaging 1cm in width. The leaves have a glossy surface, with a distinct raised midrib, other veins obscured, and entire margins.
Podocarpus species are dioecious, bearing male and female cones on separate trees. Male cones are narrow, cylindrical in shape, while female cones contain soft scales that unite with the stem to form a fleshy receptacle. This pseudo-fruit is bluish-black in colour, bearing a large (10mm) seed at the end.
Indigenous Plants for Health, Inc. 