Podocarpus henkelii
Encyclopedia
Podocarpus henkelii is a South Africa
n species of conifer in the Podocarpaceae
family. It is grown ornamentally in gardens for its strikingly neat, attractive form and its elegant, drooping foliage.
Like all Yellowwoods, this tree is dioecious
, with separate male and female trees. As conifers they produce cones, although its their fruit-like seeds that are most prominent. These seeds are eaten and distributed by birds. The fleshy coating of the seed contains a germination inhibitor so being eaten actually helps germination by removing this coating.
, in the Kwazulu-Natal
and Eastern Cape
provinces. Here it grows in the high, moist, afro-montane forest
of the Drakensberg
mountains. In addition it is now found in gardens throughout South Africa
, where it is grown as an elegant ornamental tree.
It is a protected tree in South Africa. Although it is the Real Yellowwood
tree that is officially South Africa's national tree, the Yellowwoods as a group - including Henkel's Yellowwood - are felt to hold that position in practise.
(1839-1913), the Eastern Cape
forester, and father of John Spurgeon Henkel
, Conservator of Forests for Natal and Zululand.
Podocarpus henkelii is increasingly grown in gardens around southern Africa for its neat, attractive form and decorative foliage. It is easy to cultivate, tough once established, and incredibly long-lived. It can also be pruned if necessary, to change its shape.
However, although it is mildly frost
and drought
resistant, it is healthiest (and grows fastest) when planted in deep, moist soils.
It can be propagated from seed, which should be planted promptly in a moist, semi-shade position. The fleshy fruit that surrounds the seed must be removed as this inhibits germination. The seed is also vulnerable to fungal infection.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n species of conifer in the Podocarpaceae
Podocarpaceae
Podocarpaceae is a large family of mainly Southern Hemisphere conifers, comprising about 156 species of evergreen trees and shrubs. It contains 19 genera if Phyllocladus is included and if Manoao and Sundacarpus are recognized....
family. It is grown ornamentally in gardens for its strikingly neat, attractive form and its elegant, drooping foliage.
Appearance
An attractive ornamental tree, this is one of the most recognisable of the Yellowwoods. It can easily be distinguished from its close relatives by its long, slender, drooping leaves. It has a straight, well-formed trunk and naturally assumes a pyramid-shape as it grows, eventually becoming very tall (30m).Like all Yellowwoods, this tree is dioecious
Dioecious
Dioecy is the property of a group of biological organisms that have males and females, but not members that have organs of both sexes at the same time. I.e., those whose individual members can usually produce only one type of gamete; each individual organism is thus distinctly female or male...
, with separate male and female trees. As conifers they produce cones, although its their fruit-like seeds that are most prominent. These seeds are eaten and distributed by birds. The fleshy coating of the seed contains a germination inhibitor so being eaten actually helps germination by removing this coating.
Distribution
Henkel's Yellowwood is found in South AfricaSouth Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, in the Kwazulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
and Eastern Cape
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are Port Elizabeth and East London. It was formed in 1994 out of the "independent" Xhosa homelands of Transkei and Ciskei, together with the eastern portion of the Cape Province...
provinces. Here it grows in the high, moist, afro-montane forest
Afromontane
Afromontane is a term used to describe the Afrotropic subregion and its plant and animal species common to the mountains of Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula...
of the Drakensberg
Drakensberg
The Drakensberg is the highest mountain range in Southern Africa, rising to in height. In Zulu, it is referred to as uKhahlamba , and in Sesotho as Maluti...
mountains. In addition it is now found in gardens throughout South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, where it is grown as an elegant ornamental tree.
It is a protected tree in South Africa. Although it is the Real Yellowwood
Podocarpus latifolius
Podocarpus latifolius is a large evergreen tree up to 35 m high and 3 m trunk diameter, in the conifer family Podocarpaceae; it is the type species of the genus Podocarpus....
tree that is officially South Africa's national tree, the Yellowwoods as a group - including Henkel's Yellowwood - are felt to hold that position in practise.
Name and Cultivation
This tree was named after Caesar Carl Hans HenkelCaesar Carl Hans Henkel
Caesar Carl Hans Henkel , was a German-born South African forester, cartographer, painter, soldier and botanist. He was the father of John Spurgeon Henkel....
(1839-1913), the Eastern Cape
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are Port Elizabeth and East London. It was formed in 1994 out of the "independent" Xhosa homelands of Transkei and Ciskei, together with the eastern portion of the Cape Province...
forester, and father of John Spurgeon Henkel
John Spurgeon Henkel
John Spurgeon Henkel , was a South African botanist and forester.He was the son of soldier and botanist Caesar Carl Hans Henkel . He joined the Cape Forest Department in 1888, working in the Eastern Cape for several years...
, Conservator of Forests for Natal and Zululand.
Podocarpus henkelii is increasingly grown in gardens around southern Africa for its neat, attractive form and decorative foliage. It is easy to cultivate, tough once established, and incredibly long-lived. It can also be pruned if necessary, to change its shape.
However, although it is mildly frost
Frost
Frost is the solid deposition of water vapor from saturated air. It is formed when solid surfaces are cooled to below the dew point of the adjacent air as well as below the freezing point of water. Frost crystals' size differ depending on time and water vapour available. Frost is also usually...
and drought
Drought
A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region...
resistant, it is healthiest (and grows fastest) when planted in deep, moist soils.
It can be propagated from seed, which should be planted promptly in a moist, semi-shade position. The fleshy fruit that surrounds the seed must be removed as this inhibits germination. The seed is also vulnerable to fungal infection.