Scientific Name: Phyllocladus aspleniifolius Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region

Common Name: celerytop pine

Family Classification (Clade): Gymnosperms

Family: Podocarpaceae

Form Description: Tree with lower branches whorled and spreading horizontally.

Height (m): 6 – 20

Flowers: Male: insignificant. Female: a seed-bearing scale which becomes pink and fleshy.

Fruit: Fleshy cone – seed ripens with the covering hard and greenish-black, becoming surrounded by a white fleshy aril.

Municipality
Break O’DayBurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsCircular HeadDerwent ValleyDorsetGlamorgan-Spring BayHuon ValleyKentishKing IslandKingboroughLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest Coast
Plant Communities
RainforestWet Eucalypt Forest
Habitat Notes

Occurs as a dominant in rainforest, an understorey species in eucalypt forest and occasionally as a shrub in alpine vegetation. It is confined to areas of high rainfall and low fire frequency.

Site Tolerance

Exposed, Moist, Shady

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Well-drained

General Notes

Slow growing. Prefers moist, cool, acidic soil. A valuable commercial timber that does not shrink when dried.

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 Treatment Method

Cold Some species require exposure to cold before they germinate. These species are best sown in early winter and left to germinate in a shade house.

Seed Treatment Notes

May benefit from 6-8 weeks cold-moist stratification prior to germination. Seedling very prone to “damping off” unless stringent precautions are taken. Fresh seed may give best results.

Germination Time

Up to 12 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 layers.