Scientific Name: Microcachrys tetragona Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region

Common Name: creeping pine

Family Classification (Clade): Gymnosperms

Family: Podocarpaceae

Form Description: Spreading shrub with some erect branchlets. Branchlets appear square in cross section.

Fruit: Cone – Male cones – small, terminal, ovoid. Female cones – terminal with 20-28 fertile scales. Ripe seed embedded in the bract scale which becomes fleshy and scarlet in colour.

Municipality
Central HighlandsDerwent ValleyHuon ValleyKentishMeander ValleyWaratah-WynyardWest Coast
Plant Communities
Alpine and Sub-alpine Vegetation
Habitat Notes

Frequent in sub-alpine habitats, exposed ridges and wet moors on mountains of the Central Plateau, west and south-west at about 1000-1300m.

Site Tolerance

Exposed, Moist, Rocky, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Poorly-drained, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed, Cuttings

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Seed can be difficult to collect; may be shed quickly.

Seed Treatment Method

Standard Scatter seed thinly on to damp potting mix. Hold seed in place by covering with more potting mix to approximately the depth of the seed size.

Seed Storage Life

Short

Seed Treatment Notes

Grown from seed, however seed is often non-viable or viability may vary from year to year. Fresh seed is recommended. Cover seed lightly.

Germination Time

1-2 months

Cutting & Division Information

Cuttings strike fairly readily. Use tip cuttings with or without “heels” and strike in a 2:1 mix of peat moss and sand. Late summer is best time to collect cuttings. Should strike more successfully if stored in a plastic bag with sphagnum moss in the refrigerator at or about 3-4°C for 6-8 weeks prior to setting out. Bottom heat and mist is beneficial or a plastic bag over the pot. Plants grow slowly and require adequate moisture. Also grows from layering.