Plum Pine (Podocarpus Elatus) is a distinctive native conifer with unusual fruit and strong links to our local rainforests.
In our local bushland, we have only three species of native conifers, or pine-like trees. One of these is the Plum Pine, a medium to large evergreen tree with dense foliage.
In the garden, Plum Pine can grow to around 12 metres high, but it can become much larger in its natural rainforest habitat. It is native to the east coast of Australia and can be seen locally along the boardwalk at Sea Acres National Park, on the trails through Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park, and in the littoral rainforest on the North Shore.
The tree prefers moist, well-drained soil and grows very well in our humid climate.
Plum Pine has separate male and female trees. The female tree produces unusual fruit, with a fleshy, plum-like, bluish-black stalk topped by a round seed. The fleshy stalk is edible, with a gelatin-like consistency and a slightly resinous taste. Green Catbirds, Satin Bowerbirds and the beautiful Wompoo Fruit-Dove are also known to enjoy the fruit.
Plum Pine was once valued for its brown, softwood timber, which was used for furniture, joinery, boat planking, lining and saltwater piles. Its rainforest habitat in NSW is now protected from exploitation.
Plum Pine is currently available from the Port Macquarie Landcare Nursery.
