Podocarpus spinulosus (Smith) R.Br. ex Mirbel
Frost-tender evergreen shrub or small tree with rigid, pointed, linear leaves, to 6cm long, and blue-black fruit, to 1.2cm across. To 1m. [RHSD, Hortus, FNSW, Beadle].
Horticultural & Botanical History
Introduced to Britain in 1821. [JD]. ‘This shrub possesses edible fruit, something like a plum, hence its vernacular names. The Rev. Dr. Woolls tells me that, mixed with jam of the Native Currant (Leptomeria acida), it makes a very good pudding.’ [The Useful Native Plants of Australia. Maiden. p.53/1889]. See also Podocarpus elatus R.Br. ex Mirb.
History at Camden Park
Listed only in the 1850 catalogue. Probably collected by Macarthur on one of his botanising trips in the Illawarra. Named and described as Podocarpus bidwillii in 1847 in the Synopsis Coniferen with the notation ‘Habitat in Nova Hollandia orientali’. Somewhat confusingly Netta Gray also gives Podocarpus bidwillii Hoibrenk ex Endl. as a synonym of the New Zealand species Podocarpus totara G.Benn. ex D.Don in her Revision of Podocarpus in the Journal of the Arnold Arboretum (from vol.39, p.424/1956).
Notes
Published Aug 09, 2009 - 02:31 PM | Last updated Jul 29, 2010 - 05:00 PM
| Family | Podocarpaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Eastern Australia, including the Illawarra |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Native plum, Native damson |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Podocarpus pungens |
| Confidence level | high |